CARPHA executive director urges caution on decriminalisation of marijuana
Antigua and Barbuda is the latest Caribbean country to move towards the decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The executive director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr James Hosepdales, is urging regional countries to “proceed with an abundance of caution” when it come to the decriminalisation of marijuana. He said said that if marijuana had to be decriminalised, there may be repercussions. “We don't want that when you've solved the problem so to speak of reducing the burden of the judicial system and the prisons you create a great surge in the increase of mental health admissions for marijuana addiction and other addictions. What I think needs to happen is that there should be strong public education concomitant with decriminalisation if government proceeds along that route; also, proper monitoring of impact policies."
