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by pltm
(PLTM) - Cannabis (marijuana), once used in a controlled system, can be a cure and also be a revenue generator for the government if it is decriminalized for medical use, according to Hon. Andrew Fahie, Opposition Leader.
Hon. Fahie's comments come as the National Democratic Party (NDP) government commences discussion on the topic.
The Opposition Leader said that the time is at hand when as a Territory, they must entertain intelligent, well researched discussions about marijuana and the way forward.
"...Marijuana, once used in the correct way, has its cures. We are now mature enough as a Territory to have these and other types of discussions pertaining to marijuana at this time," Hon. Fahie told BVI Platinum News on Thursday, February 22.
"Public forums will assist greatly in the education process that may very well bring another major revenue maker for the Virgin Islands. The fears expressed daily for not wanting to entertain these discussions are normal."
Hon. Fahie said that he knows there are fears by some persons because of the negative effects of using marijuana. However, he said like cigarettes and alcohol, marijuana can become a revenue generator.
"Those were the same fears persons expressed when cigarettes, alcohol, among others were being discussed to be made legal. Today, they are not even a conversation of choice. Years later the revenues from the aforementioned for many countries are significant," Hon. Fahie stated.
He added that of course, this will call for the revision of the BVI laws in terms of marijuana and natural/herbal medicine.
"Needless to say that this will be met with great resistance, but with level headed, progressive, well researched and throw away the box minded persons leading the charge with these discussions, then we can turn the negatives of marijuana and natural medicine into positives, as well as into new major revenue makers," the Opposition Leader stated.
Last week, Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith told the media that while they are discussing the issue among government members, it has not yet reached to the level of Cabinet.
"It's not a topic for discussion in Cabinet at this time, but it is a topic for discussions among members."
He said, "But as we discuss it further, maybe there might be a Cabinet paper about it, but there have been discussions about that."
Premier Smith further stated that they are also examining how persons are sent to jail over possession of a small amount of cannabis.
"For example, the question of persons who are incarcerated for just smoking a joint; that is being discussed," Premier Smith said.
God Didn't Make Anything Bad
Meanwhile, Hon. Fahie said that he is a firm believer that God did not make anything bad in the world, pointing out that as humans, he allowed his people a freedom of choice whether to do good or bad, wrong or right.
"Likewise, everything in the earth has its purpose and its cure. In our culture we say that whatever doesn't kill you cures you. This simply means using the right thing the wrong way can kill you. On the other hand, using the same thing the right way can cure you."
He said that in the early years of the Virgin Islands, their forefathers lived healthier and longer lives because they understood the use of the foods and herbs grown in the earth.
"Now modern medicine condemns most of those remedies and replaced them with pharmaceutical medications that cure one thing, but offsets many other things in the body. Notwithstanding, pharmaceutical medication has its purpose, but we must move to have a balance between both that and the natural herbs/medicine," Hon. Fahie said.
He argued that most cures from natural herbs come from knowing what to do with the herb.
"At times it calls for changing the composition of the herb. A keyboard can be used to play music to the glory of God, as well the same keyboard can be used to play other types of music."
Hon. Fahie added, "That doesn't make the keyboard negative, but it is up to the user to use it in a positive way. I gave that backdrop to emphasize."
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