VI Rastafarians propose ‘commercial marijuana’ as 3rd economic pillar
Using their time of an hour and a half on the 3D show on ZBVI 780 AM with host Doug Wheatley on Friday August 26, 2016, Halstead L. Lima, also known as Cool Lion, said on a regular basis more and more countries are coming to recognise the value of the herb both as a medicine and on a commercial level. He suggested that the Virgin Islands should do the same.
“We have been at this thing a while now. It’s not a marijuana concern; it is just about the economy. I’m just using some alternate survival techniques for the economy,” he stated.
He likened the territory’s economy as standing on a stool with two legs- offshore banking and Tourism- and in his view, commercial marijuana should be the third leg.
‘Legalise it’
“It’s time to free up the people and it’s time to free up the herb, so yes, I would like to have one of them islands to grow some herbs and to export it,” he continued.
In addition, he pointed to so many things that can be derived from this one plant, but said the people have a mental “block. They cannot see beyond what is in front of their nose.”
Another member of the Rastafarian community, Educator Shaniqua F. Vanterpool, also known as Empress Ruth, said in her view enough is not being done to educate the masses.
“I think when the public hears of marijuana they only think about the smoking. So I think as a community of people I don’t think we have done enough. We have to do more to free our people to educate the youths,” she remarked.
According to her, the herb has garnered a bad reputation among youth who use it as a fashion trend and noted that a lot of work has to be done to change that image.
In terms of decriminalisation of the herb, Empress Ruth would like to see it on all levels medically, since she believes there are many people in society that would benefit if the government was to legalise it, particularly for cancer and asthma patients.
The other guest on the show was Robert D. Penn also known as Acutui.
In 2014, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, when pressed on whether the Virgin Islands would join the move to legalise marijuana for medicinal purposes, noted that further studies would have to be conducted prior to any decision.
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48 Responses to “VI Rastafarians propose ‘commercial marijuana’ as 3rd economic pillar”
Is there some study that one can read about whether this is viable or not?
Will it merely be a cottage industry (small scale industry) or can it emerge into a realistic 3rd pillar option?
I have read the reports on the marijuana economy for Colorado but those are specific to Colorado.
If legalised weed was to be introduced in the VI, what are the things, that the VI will need to do, to ensure that it is successful. Just copying the laws of Colorado and applying them to the VI, does not necessarily mean, we will get $10m, $25m, $40m (as I read on Colorado) or whatever? We may have to do other things. If so, what are they?
This the report that I am referring to.
It is not just Colorado, look at California, Oregon, even Florida where I bet you travel frequently is about to legalize it also. From Alaska to Washington DC - twenty-five states (25) that is 50% pf the union!! No one implied carbon copying any particular state (USA) of country (Netherlands/UK) but come up with a national conversation and look at getting this sorted out as a matter of urgency! The USVI, Guyana and Jamaica which incidentally has a former Prime Minister heavily invested in the medical manufacturing side. The pushing of opiates down the throats of the masses has caused a pandemic globally - the herb is natural! What are the upsides to pushing all these opiates on people? Show me that report!
Please re-read your blog.
I am not advocating for or trying to minimize anything.
In the story, it states that marijuana can be a 3rd economic pillar.
If that is so, all I am asking, is there a study or report that has been done, that one can read for him/herself to either agree or disagree.
Your blanket statements about looking at a CNN documentary or at Netflix implies that because it may have been successful for someone else, automatically means that it will be successful for us.
Your flippant statement that I should do some research on my own, is exactly what my first blog was about (and you completely misunderstand), ie "is there a study that was done that one can read".
Obama is a hypocrite making children suffer so he can be politically allegiant to drug companies...
Crackheads and dope users is the ones who is toothless.