Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Douglas Wheatley wants VI to discuss marijuana decriminalization

Douglas Wheatley called for discussions to take place regarding the decriminalization of marijuana. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio commentator Doug Wheatley said it is time that the Virgin Islands (VI) become engaged in the conversation regarding the decriminalization of marijuana for medical use and urged that examples of countries moving in this direction be looked at in terms of the benefits they receive.

“In the BVI I think we ought to be facing this matter squarely and it should form part of our discourse. We shouldn’t wait until it is upon us,” said Wheatley on his programme Speak Out BVI on ZBVI Radio 780 AM last evening July 8, 2014. “There should be discourse and education about this matter,” he stressed.

“There was a [CARICOM] meeting in Antigua recently and a number of things were discussed there including a strategic plan and one of the things that came out was a discussion on marijuana. As you know in the air now there is talk about the decriminalization of marijuana perhaps also the legalizing of marijuana,” he said.

“They agreed that there economic opportunities available in terms of medical marijuana. You hear what is happening in Colorado in the United States, the amount of money that has been made out of it and what percentage has gone to Government through taxation. Also in the State of Washington they have just followed suit,” he said.

“Across the pond in the UK we know there are steps being taken to deal with medical marijuana. Caricom has a commission dealing with this and the BVI is an associate member but I have not heard any of our officials speak of this particular subject or whether they have been to any of the meetings,” he said.

“We know that Jamaica has taken the lead in the Commonwealth Caribbean in the decriminalizing of marijuana and intending of course to benefit from the benefits that would accrue from the production of marijuana for medical purposes,” said Wheatley.

Wheatley pointed out that marijuana was not always an illegal substance. “That occurred in the United States in 1937 and there are reasons why it was made an illegal substance. But prior to that it was not and the argument has always been that a drug is something that goes through a manufacturing process and marijuana is a herb, a natural thing that grows out of the earth and therefore it is not a drug,” he said.

“In the US Virgin Islands there is an attempt to get it on the ballot for the November elections to have it decriminalized and perhaps even legalized. They are trying now to get the necessary support from the public to get it on the ballot,” said Wheatley.

20 Responses to “Douglas Wheatley wants VI to discuss marijuana decriminalization ”

  • imagine that (09/07/2014, 09:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The USA collecting tax from ganja and the BVI using taxpayers money to feed men in jail for ganja.
    • wize up (09/07/2014, 15:38) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      so free-up the ganja !!!! them pushing for same-sex partnerships in bvi.....
  • ccc (09/07/2014, 09:21) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Legalise it
  • Irucy (09/07/2014, 09:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put it on the ballot ~ The reason it was made illegal in Jamaica "THIS year marks the 101 year anniversary of the Ganja Law of 1913. This law was rooted in fear and also in a tradition of law-making that discriminated against lower class black people. It is a racist law that epitomises the oppressive injustice of slavery and the colonial/planter system. This racist law was the idea of the Council of Evangelical Churches in Jamaica"
    It is a victimless "crime"
  • NICK (09/07/2014, 09:29) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am with you doug.
  • Music (09/07/2014, 09:36) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Doug, we have enough potheads here already without decriminalizing it!
  • vgboy (09/07/2014, 09:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    cashing in on da good weed
  • VG herbs the Best (09/07/2014, 10:32) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Legalize it slave masters were not after the white Girls were just staying focus on our accomplishment it's the healing of the Nation stop your ignorance the western babelon colonial living is a thing of the PAST
  • pat (09/07/2014, 11:02) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    while medical use has value, how can it be controlled? It is readily available anywhere. But how many of us have seen unproductive people sitting there in a stupor looking for handouts? just saying that even in the US, not enough study has been done to know the long-term affects. Look at the liabilities alcohol has produced and the abuse. It is not a black and white answer. But be aware and fore-warned that more problems may arise with legalization and looking for money to buy it.
    • Tulip (09/07/2014, 16:08) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      People have been using marijuana since the beginning of time, and it was made illegal last century. Your recent ancestors probably used it for pain relief during menstrual cramps etc as was common around here. What we do not know the longterm effects for are those prescription drugs with those terrible side effects. Time for us to stop holding on to someone else's past prejudices and face the facts.
  • Limey (09/07/2014, 11:09) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ Lodger - we have enough drunks also, but alcohol is still legal! You dinosaurs and your ancient thinking is why things are they way they are - in the dumps.
    • to limey (09/07/2014, 15:15) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      just because alcohol is legal, don't you think we should have learned from that problem? There should be a social responsibility for the community at large too.
  • Music (09/07/2014, 14:27) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thank you!
  • hmm interesting (09/07/2014, 17:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    While studies show it is good to cure illness I know alot of people will abuse it for them just to get high off of it. So much people in the bvi is planting this tree and nobody knows. What are doing with the drugs example marijuana they found on people? That is a question that needs to be answered.
  • cup (09/07/2014, 20:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This thing should done be legalised
  • hey (09/07/2014, 21:34) Like (0) Dislike (11) Reply
    Hey Doug you father must be rolling in his grave hearing you, with this crap
    rather than using your talent more wisely.

    I think Doug, edmond & donald should form them own party JAP jackassparty.
  • Atif (05/08/2014, 08:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was wondering if I could use this write-up on my other website . buy weed
  • Zubair Biag (28/05/2015, 05:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I havent any word to appreciate this post..... i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us. marijuana prices



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.