MLAs silent on ganja debate

| 06/01/2014

(CNS): As the debate on medicinal cannabis gathers momentum in the US and elsewhere, local politicians are remaining tight lipped on the issue. Cayman’s elected representatives have ignored questions from CNS regarding the topical, if controversial, subject as well as approaches made to them by Burns Conolly, the man behind the local campaign "Cannabis Cayman" promoting the medical benefits of the drug. All members of the Legislative Assembly were canvassed by CNS over a month ago for their opinions on medical marijuana but not one MLA responded, while Conolly had only one response to the email he sent to the people’s representatives. But as public opinion shifts massively on the drug locally as well as in the US the silence of Cayman’s politicians is making them look out of touch with developments.

Burns Conolly launched the Facebook page "Cannabis Cayman" in October with the goal of educating the public and promoting the growing body of information about the now proven medicinal properties of ganja. His main aim is to trigger debate and he wants to see local politicians take up this issue and at least discuss it, whether they are for it or against it.

“Cannabis Cayman has now approached all 18 MLAs via email and has received only one response so far,” he said. “A second member spoke to me and said he was not familiar enough with the plant to comment yet. I hope that the lack of response is because they were busy during the Christmas season and not that they do not want to comment. I even indicated that they could even respond confidentially if they wished.”

Conolly explained that he wants to get the debate started with the goal of having politicians consider making the drug available to Caymanians who have serious medical issues but, he said, "are having to poison their bodies daily with Chemo, radiation and a host of other prescription drugs".

While the politicians are being tight lipped, the public seem considerably more engaged on the topic, with stories about legalisation generating hundreds of comments from CNS readers over the past few months. 94% of people who voted in a recent CNS poll said that the drug should be legalized either for medicinal or both medicinal and recreational use. Conolly’s Facebook page now has around 500 people following it and many people are expressing support.

Conolly, who is advocating only for the medicinal use of ganja, was motivated to launch the campaign after seeing a CNN documentary on the issue in which the drug’s incredible and proven medicinal qualities were revealed. He said it is now time for Cayman to start looking at the issue properly.

"Given the tsunami of interest and change of medicinal marijuana in the United States, I believe it is time for the Cayman Islands to at least start a discussion of making medicinal marijuana available and legal here. It has clearly been proven that this plant has tremendous medicinal properties. The active ingredients in the plant have been shown to positively impact and cure Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Crohn's, Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Diabetes, Epilepsy, seizures, strokes, chronic pain, many others as well as the big 'C' — Cancer.

"It is incredibly effective with inoperable brain cancer tumours. Much of the scientific research needed to completely identify all the properties of this plant has been restricted due to the lack of funding based on it being characterized as an evil drug,” said Conolly, who is still surprised that he has found himself the face of this campaign.

Conolly says his campaign is not interested in recreational legalization but focused entirely on persuading Cayman to look at the drug’s medicinal benefits. 

“Cannabis Cayman is not supporting recreational use locally,” said Conolly, who does not use the drug but hopes that if he ever needed to, it would be available for him to use legally. He believes there are indications that young developing minds can be impaired by smoking marijuana but Cannabis Cayman is concerned with getting the discussion about what is also a life-saving drug to those who need it when they are sick.

“There are hundreds and hundreds of Caymanians that need it now,” he said. “It has never been shown to kill anyone, unlike prescription drugs which kill in excess of 20,000 each year in the USA. It is now clear that this helpful plant will be legal across the United States within a few years. It has been unfortunately been made out to be an evil drug by the media and government over the years, which it clearly isn't.”

With the tide of public opinion changing, especially in America, where many people are beginning to see that they have not been told the truth about ganja, experts and pundits alike are all saying that 2014 will be the year when the issue takes centre stage. Predicted as a future potential wonder drug by some, Cannabis was legal and used successfully in dozens of medicines for hundreds of years before it was prohibited for political reasons in the 1930s.

On 1 January people queued in the freezing cold around the block when the drug went on sale legally in the state of Colorado and the state's historic legalization policy is now being touted as a springboard for other US states to follow suit. In 2012 Colorado voters approved the sale of recreational marijuana, as did voters in Washington State. Colorado is the first to have ‘pot shops’ up and running under regulations established by state government.

In November, Portland, Maine, followed Washington and Colorado's lead and legalized recreational use of the drug, while the Michigan cities of Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale resoundingly voted to let people older than 21 possess an ounce of marijuana on private property. Alaska is also considering the drug’s use and could become the third state to legalize recreational as well as medicinal use. According to a recent Gallup Poll in the United States, there has been an unprecedented spike in approval ratings in the last year, reaching 58%.

Many other countries around the world are pondering their failed and costly prohibition policies over the drug but it was Uruguay that became the first nation in the world at the end of last year to fully legalize the use of cannabis.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Many of the negative comments appear to be related to people beleiving that you can only smoke ganja to use it and that all ganja gets you high. This is wrong.

    Medicinal ganja is usually applied in an oil, as a patch, as a vapour or as a tablet. Ganja has two main chemicals in it, THC and CBD. Its the THC that gets you high. There are now strains of ganja that have very low THC and high CBD…you could smoke it all day long and not get high. Please go read what Mr. Connolly is saying. Look at his facebook page and read the articles posted there.

    Personally I always thought of ganja as some evil drug but I now have a differnt view completely. It will save lives if used properly. I say lets get this leaglized for its medicinal properties here as well. Many of our own family members could use it to either save them from dying or make their lives much better. Speak to your representatives and get this discussion going in a meaningful way. 

  2. Anonymous says:

    Have you heard the word about the herb superb?
    You can take it from a Bay’r like me
    You take one toke for a bit of a joke
    And you’re out of your Coconut tree
    Then the pastor next door wants to call the cops
    ‘Cause you smile and you’re feelin’ happy
    So you plant a few seeds, and you grow a few weeds
    And the world don’t look so crappy
    Talk about

    CHORUS

    Marijuana, Caymaniana
    Cheaper than booze, safer than pills
    Make you sing like Frank Sinatra
    Marijuana, Caymaniana
    Greatest craze since the disco days
    You can buy it from your nearest farmer!

    Now I was layin’ a rave on this farmer one day
    About changin’ a few of our laws
    I said, “You know they arrest some folks with pot
    And they lock ‘em up indoors!”
    He said “Serves ‘em right for smokin’ that dope
    It leads to the harder stuff!”
    And then I found he was growin’ a whole plantation
    ‘Cause life on the land’s a bit tough!
    Growin’ that

    CHORUS

    Now the drug squad usually have the best
    They pinch it from the people they bust
    And they’ll sell you some for a nice old profit
    If you can find one you can trust
    And apart from that all the doctors and bars
    Have to keep up the country’s tax
    But when your pills and your booze start to rot your old body
    There’s a much better way to relax
    Talkin’ ‘bout

    CHORUS

    Now there was a time not long ago
    When smokin’ a joint was fine
    But don’t get caught with dope these days
    It’s become a hanging crime
    They got helicopter gun-ships, high speed boats
    And cop cars all in a line
    While the coke rolls in, in Jamaican canoes
    And no bugger even gets fined
    Talkin’ ‘bout

    CHORUS

  3. Anonymous says:

    Man. I just been on mah deck smokin a lil of mah hebal medecin listenen to dem 2 Roosters on dah radio and i begin tinkin vera strange thoughts like wha about us fill in South sound and chop out those mangroves.  Man i tinks i musta got some bad s#*t from mah supplier

  4. Anonymous says:

    The MLAs seem to be silent on a lot of things that are important….like the burning dump.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Once Legalized the government Social service hand outs will certainly be used to purchase ganja. It is now called vouchers for food for those lazy to work but when legalized it will be called ganja vouchers. The Politicians wont be that stupid as to legalize it as they have already become unpopular for the new Immigration law that they just passed. Dont you all think that that was not bad enough for Cayman?

    • Anonymous says:

      To be legalized for medicinal purposes would require at least one registered doctor to issue a medical card to the user. Tha user can only use that card to receive a certain amount per day and most likely not in a form to be burnt. Much medicinal marijuana is converted into and oil type liquid and ingested. The idea of using vouchers is not even an option here as the user would need to pay for the substance when they receive it. 

  6. Anonymous says:

    Karma is a she dog. And you know how a she dog can get when you mess with her. I have no issues with all the talk about legalizing ganga and all the stupidness that is being said about the benefits. What is all the rush and now blaming the politicians for being mute.?

    Back to the Karma bit. I’m waiting for the average 40 year old pot smoker with young children around age 10 to 16, or older, when they see daddy or mama smoking and fighting for the rights to smoke and use whatever excuse necessary to get high. When one day just like a lot of mothers and fathers are facing today even with the illegal importation and nearly impossible task of getting the hands on ganja, that they have a cure when their kids come home stoned or gets addicted and start to remove everything out of the house to pawn or do other so call petty crimes to be able to earn the high. Ganja is the starting drug. Even cocaine can be said to have medicinal effects, after all it’s made from a natural plant that we cherish so much.

    Please ganja addicts, go smoke all you want but please if you have not experienced what a simpleGanja spliff can do to our children, just ask the grieving mothers and fathers that have watched their children go from being elites in school to a pot head around the block. A high is a high, legal or not legal. What can be so urgent that we cannot tackle the task of creating Trade Schools or improve our education standards or even a reliable transport system that we have to think that ganja is the cure for it all? The great Bob Marley thought ganja would save him as well. Please give us a chance as well to raise our children and educate them before you tell them they can try ganja. How many students that have been too hyper or can’t sit still in class have been diagnosing with HDD or whatever it is called.  How many people will all of a sudden become sick with some Ganja curing sickness just to get high? How dangerous it is to work on a construction site being high, it’s bad enough being un-educated, but being high is a completely different thing.

    Find something else to rebel about. Is Cayman Islands that messed up that we have to think that smoking pot is the priority? Anything can kill anyone, but as explained unless you have witness what this simple “pure, natural” drug can do to a child then stop being selfish. Lock up and smoke it and get high all you want. But let it stay illegal.

    I have witness sitting in a bar with alcoholics drinking and can only shake my head at how stupid the grown donkey men and women behave. I was able to walk out and move on. I have witness also a room full of smoke and did not have a chance to get out before I realized what was in the air. I was high with no choice of my own. The effects being shown to me the next day. I have witness children been given a spliff to smoke only to see them look like zombies and having a fear to wonder if they would ever come out of the trance.

    Yes Karma is a she dog. Be careful pot heads what you wish for, especially if you have children with a bright future ahead. You might just be depriving your own future.

    • Anonymous says:

      Did you even read the article or understand the issue? This is not about recreational drug use. It is to promote the medicinal benefits of cannabis, not about getting high. I am not a ganja smoker  – I have never even smoked cigarettes. Your ignorant mindset is what is keeping Cayman back.  

    • Anonymous says:

      You do know that all the same things can be said about alcohol right?  Which is currently very legal, has a enormous marketing budget, has a very high visibilty and a strong draw due to it being the celebratory drug of choice for billions of people.  Do you lose sleep about that as well.  

      Let me tell you.  Alcohol abuse is rampant in Cayman.  Most teenagers dont even want driving licenses as bad as the ability to drink a beer legally. Jeez, they can buy marijuana at school but cant buy liquor until they reach 18

  7. Anonymous says:

    Alcohol destroys live but its legal right? Now tell me why would the legalize something thing that has never harmed anyone. That’s crazy the politicians are ok with people destroying their kidneys with alcohol and lungs with cigarettes!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Uncle Joe died at 98 saw him smoke the first time when he was about 92 asked why, he said it helped him be hungry and that his age keeping weight was important and that he had been smoking for many years. That said grams who lived to 90 started smoking when she was a kid said it grew wild. One of the last things she did before she died was go out side in her wheel chair and her IV bag and have a smoke ate some pizza and died a few days later.

    Uncle Joe was very sucessful Federal Reserve Board member. Grams operated chain of assisted living homes.

    I also know many people whom smoke to combat the effects of cancer treatments

     

     

  9. Anonymous says:

    Osbourne, you're a failure of a 'Health' Minister. You claim that the government doesn't want to 'entertain' the debate of medical ganja, yet some of the ministers children even use it – and they know about it too. Can talk to their kids but not their electorate about it??

    And Osbourne, how educated are you about medical marijuana? I just remembered you have a liquor store and probably think it's ethical to make a profit from alcohol while exploiting and poisoning the health of our people legally. Boils my blood!

     

    • Anonymous says:

      i called for his resignation 6 months ago……

      his handling of the dump issues is a national disgrace….

  10. Whodatis says:

    No one should ever be imprisoned for smoking marijuana or being in possession of the plant for the purpose of personal comsumption.

    Unfortunately, it is always the most ignorant about the plant that have the most negative things to say.

    Too many (young) Caymanian lives have been ruined by our ridiculous self-harming laws and policies in this regard.

    Contrast this fact to the laws and policies of the countries from which many of our immigrants arrive – the reality (and irony) would shock many of us.

    (Many a young Caymanian have lost out on a university education simply because he or she got a criminal record by way of smoking marijuana. However, it is a known fact that all over the USA, Canada, UK and EU, marijuana consumption is as much a part of college life as lecture notes.)

  11. Anonymous says:

    Xsucse me while I light my spiff .

  12. SomeRandomGuy says:

    The politicians, just like most of the older people in cayman society, ganja is seen as the worst drug ever, most of them would prefer their own kids to drink than to smoke ganja

    Only thing bad about ganja is that it makes you hungry, for the "munchies"

    Get rid of the stereotype that surrounds this amazing and revolutionary plant, 

    Weed – 0 deaths 

    Alcohol – 34534347548547958606578567965969

  13. Anonymous says:

    Hooked on the Reefer Madness movie are you? Time to step out of your cave and evolve a little.

  14. Kadafe says:

    Your opinion. Period. 

  15. Foreign Devil says:

    Legalize it.

    • The Seeker says:

      Tell me, please somebody tell me, why this personal advocacy going on.  Is it because of personal or family need is it because of many people that are ill on these islands who would benefit from medical marijuana. It is rather vague and really out of order for this advocacy to continue if there is not a heightened need for the people of these Islands to avail themselves of medical marijuana. Remember people what good for yonder not necessarily good for us. Yeah go ahead and put the thumbs down, however, for a Government to seriously consider this issue, there has to be a compelling, argument rather than a philanthropic whim.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I have nothing against marijuana… But all of u who are wasting your time debating that it should be legalized.. it's probably because you smoke it, right? Well did it ever occur to you that if they legalize it for medical use it is NOT GOING TO BENEFIT YOU. lol

    • SSM345 says:

      15:03, so you are telling me that if legalized for medical use only, that no one will be able to get it unless a doctor prescribes?

      What a genius. You will find there will be an explosion of hypochondriacts on island requesting such from their doctors, look at the problem in the US, about 5% of those who hold the card actually need it, the rest got it for a sore toe or have doctors that give them what they ask for. 

      Boy you foo-fool.

    • Anonymous says:

      Having watched my mother dying of cancer it could have benefited me and her.It could have eased her pain and at least made her be able to eat something. Anything that helped her maintain some dignity would have helped me.     What was the danger?      Would she become addicted? Would she get a different cancer?    Where are the human rights about dignity.

    • Anonymous says:

      So what? I smoke and if it is only legalized medically, it is still a step forward to reducing the ignorance around marijuana.

      Some one has to grow it. Someone will sell utensils. Someone will have to process it into concentrates, edibles, pills, etc.  Someone has to sell it to the public and government will take a piece of all of it.  Lots of economic opportunities and jobs for those interested.  I think that would be considered a step in the right direction.

      All this instead of big money going to gangsters to buy more guns, cocaine, ectasy, etc. 

      Oh and dont smoke people, vaporize it….much better for your lungs.

  17. Anonymous says:

    It has proven medical benefits, and it's a taxable business; is that not a win-win, CIG?

  18. John says:

    Lets face it, we can't have legal ganja if the grocery stores aren't open on Sunday.  We will all be way to hungry after smoking.  I say they legalize it and open the grocery stores on Sunday.  Seriously though, the benefits of medical marijuana should be explored.  The negative side effects are far less than many prescribed medications today.

    • SSM345 says:

      Alcohol and Ciggarettes. Health issues go without saying. Both are the main gateway drugs because they are legal.

      Ganja, proven medical benefits and a massive benefit to tourism if legalised (see Colorado and Uruguay as well as Amsterdam ofcourse). Health issues when consumed by way of inhaling smoking and frequency of this method of consumption.

      Anyone notice how laws worldwide on ciggarettes are changing? These will be illegal within the next 5yrs and guess what will replace them? Ganja will be legal, guaranteed, you just need to give Governments the time to implement the infastructure.

  19. Anonymous says:

    MLAs,

    Please don't get distracted by this side-show. The main goal remains getting the economy back on track so that people will get back to work.

    Thank you.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Hey politicians! Want to improve the health of the people on the island? Make KFC illegal!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Marijuana destroys lives. Period.

    • Foreign Devil says:

      But alcohol is good for you, kills worms.

      • BR Goggle says:

        It also improves the attractiveness of people around you.

      • Anonymous says:

        My father is 88 and claims alcohol is the reason that he has lived so long and why he isn't on insulin like his brothers were.

    • Anonymous says:

      You know Nothing!

    • Anonymous says:

      That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

      Take some time and use your internet to investigate the history, before you repeat what your church is telling you.

  22. Anonymous says:

    It should be completely legalised in Cayman and a regulated market setup with appropriate taxation and controls in place. A serious discussion needs to be raised on the topic before this opportunity passes us by.

    14 licensed stores in Colorado, sold over $1million of product on the first day of legislation in that state. At a 29% tax rate, this netted Colorado state over $290,000 in taxes. It's estimated that Colorado will collect $67 million this year in taxes.

    On this point alone, I believe this subject warrants discussion by government. We are struggling to attract new industries and businesses and the cannabis market would create employment while creating an additional much needed revenue stream for government.

    It's creating employment in Colorado in tourism, retail, horticulture, service and manufacturing industries. Imagine how many jobs would be created here with new businesses and industries opening. The knock on effect from this would increase revenues to existing local businesses and of course, the government, with T&B fees etc.

    Criminals will be criminals and smuggling will not stop, however, legislation will reduce the attractiveness and profit in smuggling and will stop regular people who want to imbibe from becoming criminals themselves because of the law. How many young Caymanians have criminal records because of cannabis? Legislation would help decrease the prison population and tax revenues could be used in rehabilitation programs.

    Educated and mature discussion needs to happen but it won't if politicians keep burying their heads in the sand. 

  23. Cayman Concern says:

    Today's radio debate on Rooster & FB are asking public opinion on drug testing for social services recipients.  I agree we should test and all persons in the SS program need to report their efforts working with the NWDA, volunteer hours, education programs. (Or ganja use – social addressing a drug problem) to continue to receive funding.  Why do the rest of us have to be responsible while people on social servies do not?  Perhaps we will legalize pot some day, but it is not a key issue (Social Services and Unemployment are!) so I don't care if the MLAs are not wasting their time with inane replies to a non-question.

    There are bigger issues to deal with that will trickle down to petty drugs- like tackling the drug dealers and gangs living in Prospect and fining the slumlords (locals- yes you) that rent to these people (criminals). It should be a criminal offence to rent to anyone not on a legal permit or legally a resident.  Slumlords who rent to SS should be responsible if their tenants are arrested for drugs and if (yes pot) is found on premises then the property goes to the Proceeds of Crime law- and is taken away!  Wow, fast way to clean up our neighborhoods eh? Simple- start renting to good hard working people instead of potheads and thugs. (Pardon typos)

     

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are going fo the " test them to get money from government" arguement. You will have nothing against extending beyond social services , but to everyone receiving money from government.

      So MLA's, all civil servants, those with college scholarships, etc

       

  24. Anonymous says:

    God created this world and everything in it including marijuana. i dont see what the problem is it's as holy as cassava root. remind me again why marijuana is illegal and mushrooms isnt?

    • Anonymous says:

      God created your lungs to be clean and not filled with smoke of any kind. Marijuana or any other kind of foreign substance that enters the lungs does damage. Believe what you want, believe that marijuana is healthy, but your lungs should be pure and not filled up with smoke.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      God also created night shade – you want to puff on that too?

      • Anonymous says:

        actuallythe tomato is part of the nightshade family

        and i have had datura (deadly nighshade) also, was awesome, you just have to be very careful on the dosing.

        never understood what right the government has to say what i put in my own body, as long as it doesn't affect others? what gives you the right over my body? I thought we lived in a free country.

         

  25. Anonymous says:

    Doesn't one of our MLAs drink ganja tea now for asthma ?

  26. Anonymous says:

    If it does become legal and could be a profitable business the chance to make money off it should be given first to those that are publicly voicing their opinion for change. I imagine those that are tight lipped but from certain monopolies will be extremely interested in owning a medicinal marijuana franchise after someone else stood up and fought for change

  27. Anonymous says:

    Education is key. Once people are informed of the FACTS on this piece of Nature their minds will be opened. Mr. Connolly if its not in the plans I do recommend that Town Hall meetings, radio programs andsuch be implemented to further educate our many narrow minds. Use the media to your full advantage.

    Alcohol has proven time after time to ruin families, lives and take lives yet we continue to make this mainstream for many. I have yet to hear of any major issues with marijuana other than the global failure of prohibition.

  28. Anonymous says:

    This is a stupid debate & maybe on a wish list for some, but MLAs have far more pressing matters to deal with.

  29. Anonymous says:

    I tried ganja once in Jamaica. Suffice it to say, I have never used it since. I was absolutely destroyed for several hours, lost complete control of my motor skills, laughed until my sides split and then ate everything in sight.

    Some of you may find this funny, but it was scary and I prefer to live my life without ganja.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hey, we said ONE spliff, not the whole pack!

    • Anonymous says:

      I tried alcohol once. I fell over. Then had a fight. Puked on my friends then crashed my car. That was a scary night. I prefer to smoke weed

    • Anonymous says:

      Take a couple of beers and you have the same effect.

      Difference is that alcohol is legal.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry about your experience of the weed in Jamaica, but are you absolutely sure you were not drinking with it.

      Becuse the way you described your reactios, ar one of weed an alcohol.  STOP MIXING THE WEED WITH ALCOHOL.

      Weed makes a peson very relaxed an very hungry for food.  Tha is it.

      I SAY LEGALIZE IT

       

    • Anonymous says:

      That is completely understandable and you are free to do so, just as you don't have to drink if the effects are not desirable to you.  Its all about the freedom of choice and right now marijuanna is irrationally made illegal. 

    • Foreign Devil says:

      Yeah I tried sex once………………………ditto.

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe you consumed way pass your limit as a first time user. Don't forget that worst happens with alcohol use in that if you consume too much of it you lose yourmotor skill, judgement and morality…which is then followed by the horrible hangover feeling. Guess what…zero hangover from cannabis.

  30. WillYaListen! says:

    This is an Island where we can't even get the Supermarkets to open on a Sunday. That seems to indicate that decriminalising (different from legalisation) the use of marijuana would be a long, long way away.   "Church Lady" will purse her lips and look disapprovingly at anyone who would dare bring it up again before 2099.

    Meanwhile people are "lining up" to do other drugs which have no relevant medical benefit and poor kids go to jail for having a joint. 

     

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Decriminalization is not being contemplated.  This is about Medical Use for the handful of possible candidates that might qualify.

    • Anonymous says:

      How many people are in jail for ONLY smoking pot???  Once you have that figure please let us know how many of these people had good jobs where they were a positive example to others, never stole anything because they were not too lazy to work, never drove under the influence of a mind altering chemical, never neglected or abuse their family etc.  Please get that figure for me so we can have meaningful debate.

       

      • Anonymous says:

        62 %

        Since marijuana is illegal it becomes a source of income for criminals/gangs.

        By legalizing you take the product out of the criminal circuit. Buyers are therefor not in contact with pushers who make you try cocaine.

        Cigarettes and alcohol are more expensive than marijuana and kill so much more . . . .

    • Anonymous says:

      Sad, but true!

  31. Anonymous says:

    Comparing a spliff and a six pack. One gives you a high for 10 minutes the other gives you a high for 10 hours. Guess which one.
    The legality (with limits) of ganja should be pursued. It’s time to understand that the alcohol business has been the terrible LEGAL destruction of many generations. That’s the substance that should be regulated.
    Anyways, a spliff a day keeps the doctors away (so am told).

  32. Anonymous says:

    keep up the pressure cns!….follow up on this every week…until these morons are shamed into to do what is right…..

  33. Anonymous says:

    not likely in a place whereyou can't buy groceries on a sunday……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    • Anonymous says:

      I hear Cayman Airwarys has severl flights out of here every day to take you to destination where your enlightened state would be much moreappreciated.

  34. Anonymous says:

    typical caymanian head in the sand mentality…..

  35. Anonymous says:

    typical backward incomptence from caymanian 'politicians'………………zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  36. Centrist says:

    Posters on CNS and the general public have repeatedly stated that Jobs, Jobs, Jobs should be the priority now.  So unless the Ganja debate is going to create real, sustainable jobs, I 100% back the MLA's in not getting side tracked.  They had to deal with some pressing issues, but now Jobs should be the prority. Legalisation of ganja was not a campaign issue and no MLA can claim a mandata on the matter.  While I agree that the debate is important, the importance is relative and we have to set priorites.  Let's be realistic, our MLA's are human too and they can't deal everything at once. My vote is for measures that will make definitive improvement to the economic well being of our people.

    • Anonymous says:

      it may well create legal jobs if done correctly..but politicians don't just snap their fingers and jobs appear…they have to create the right environment in which jobs will appear..currently they are doing the reverse…

      • Anonymous says:

        Alden has created many jobs with his policies.  But those jobs are in Toronto, Dublin and the Channel Islands.

      • Anonymous says:

        Medical Use Marijuana would not create a local industry or any jobs of statistical consequence.  There would be very few bona fide candidates in a population of 50,000.  Maybe 5 jobs? 

    • Anonymous says:

      So unless the Ganja debate is going to create real, sustainable jobs, I 100% back the MLA's in not getting side tracked

       

      What – they can't walk and chew gum at the same time?  And seeing as if anything they've chased jobs off the island, maybe a little ganja will ease the pain of the thousands of supposedly unemployed.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Legalization for Medical use does not stop the smuggling of this, and other drugs and weapons, nor would it reduce the volume of crime headlines for this site.  The handful of resident medical candidates with pains that might feel more comfortable would not have any impact on those thriving and socially costly industries.  Cayman is not afflicted with thousands of recent war veterans with PTSD and inhaling smoke will not make someone healthier. Unfortunately, proponents that get their medical advice from CNN talk shows are not sufficiently versed to lead the discussion.  Then we're left with recreational legalization advocacy from the lawless hypocritical potheads that already directly contribute to our country's social problems.  They'll be along any moment now to chime in on the social benefits of non-medical use.  

  38. And Another Ting says:

    Got to have Kaya now for the day is coming. I say No to drugs, for the controlling factor is one which is difficult to yes no pun intended "control". And Anther Ting.

  39. Anonymous says:

    The religious fanatics on this islands are the backbone of the voters, sono MLA will burn their fingers on this topic.

    Cigarettes kill millions, marijuana doesn't.  

    Marijuana was legal untill somewhere in the 30's.  Many enjoyed it. And so did the black people.
    The economy went down and somebody needed to be blamed. The mormon church and the governor of Utah decided to make marijuana an illegal drug, blaming the blacks for the troubled economy.

    It worked and still works today.

    Again, the problem are the fanatics churchgoers . . . .

    • Anonymous says:

      "Many enjoyed it. And so did the black people.".

      Wow. Do you read what you write? You forgot to insert many "of us regular people" enjoyed it. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Potheads always conveniently forget what their patron saint Bob Marley died from: skin, lung, liver, stomach, and brain Cancer.  He was not cured; quite the opposite, and for no lack of trying.  Hemp oil might have some medicial application in a clinical environment, but there is no logic in the inhalation of carcinogens as a cureall for anything beyond short term respite from psychological and pain disorders.  I'd like to see any clinical research to the contrary.

      • Anonymous says:

        The pharmaceutical industry will make sure that won't happen.

      • Anonymous says:

        Marley had a malignant melanoma which spread to his lungs and brain and caused his death. That's not the same as having lung, liver, stomach and brain cancer.

        We agree that cannabis oil is much better for its medicinal benefits as compared to smoking marijuana. 

        • Anonymous says:

          The cancer in those organs were the cause of death and were not cured despite a lifetime of active smoking.  He (and countless others) died of cancer while smoking the magic "Cancer killing" herb.  Smoking ganja does not cure cancer, nor will smoking anything else.  

          Marinol is a synthetic THC pill that has been prescribed for therapeutic purposes to Cancer, patients going through Chemo, AIDS patients, and other patients going through painful treatments.  

          Can doctors and patients not get Marinol from our Pharmacies, and if not, why?  That should be the discussion.  It is FDA approved, why wouldn't it already be available to those that truly required the therapeutic benefits?

          • Anonymous says:

            We don't disagree about smoking it. However, there other ways of using it that carry no carcinogenic risks at all – using the oil, pills, and vapourizing. However, I am curious why you are so much in favour of a synthetic drug which also has THC as opposed to natural cannabis. Are you that impressed by the FDA and the big pharmaceutical companies and are afraid that natural cannabis will cut into the profits of the latter?

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh please, you are just a druggie wannabe. Once it's legal, you can fail to show up for work, plead insanity and be just a general layabout. Go smoke another spliff.

      • Anonymous says:

        I have a chronic headache that makes me almost blind. One puff and it almost goes away. It keeps me alive.

         

      • Anonymous says:

        I come from a country that has legalized all drugs and as a result there are less addicts and less crime.

        Failing to show up for work has nothing to do with marijuana, that is a Caymanian thing with 9000 on social security.

      • Anonymous says:

        What do you mean?  I can do that now if I wanted.  No need to wait.  Social Services pays and I have a guy on speed dial.

        Some people have this thing called pride and a conscious. Use of marijuana is not going to change that.  Lots of druggie wannabes have big jobs, live in big houses and drive big cars.  If that is your only measure of status/success/selfworth then you should check yourself.

        The problem is that alot of users have more issues than using marijuana.  I am not saying using marijuana helps in those circumstances because more that likely it doesnt because its being abused more than likely.

        But then again so does abusing alcohol, prozac, riddilin, hydrocodyne and all the other legal drugs. For some marijuana is just the drug of choice.  Take away marijuana and they will find something else to drift away with.

        So is it the drug or the person?

        Some peope use marijuana all day, some use marijuana once a day and some use marijuana once a week, month or year.  Do all those people qualify as druggies?

  40. Anonymous says:

    Guys, don't get excited yet.  We can't be ahead of the ball. In cayman we react and react late.  Hopefully Bermuda will decriminalize it soon so that we can follow suit.  We're really good at following others.  

    A drug with so many proven medical benefits remains illegal while cigarettes which have no benefit to human life are legal.  A plant which has never killed anyone is illegal while cigarettes which kill millions annually are legal.

     I am hopeful the new lot of politicians have the gonads to make a difference in the lifes of terminally ill Caymanians  who suffer from terrible illnesses while ingesting prescribed legal drugs to keep them somewhat alive while they slowly die from the prescribed drug side effects.  

    We need to pull up our sunglasses and see the light.  Cold front coming up I hear, may be a good time to rest those shades. 

     

  41. Anonymous says:

    The reason our MLAs refused to comment is because they're too worried about their public image, and also they're too ignorant on the matter to even attempt to articulate valid points for its illegality and prohibition.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Can we hear from the people who are suffering from some kind of sickness and think that medical marijuana will allevate their pain and suffering.  Is Burns Conolly one of them? If the people who he thinks this will help will come out and say they want it, then I think  the politicians will have their say, until then they have much more important things to do. For those who smoke it recretionally now this is a non-issue.  It is illegal and if they break the law they should have to pay the consequences. Because other countries are making it legal is no reason why we should.

      • Anonymous says:

        Now maybe you have a point there! We can start now by marketing Cayman as the last bastion and haven for hypocritical, right wing, puritanical, narrow minded types. That really rolls off the tongue and should attract the "right" kind of people to the island.

        We followed other countries by making it illegal and in all probability we will follow them back on the road to legalizing it. Why not instead channel the time, effort and money wasted in the war on marijuana into stamping out dangerous criminal activity on this island. Yes, the politicians do have much more important things to do, like looking for new ways to create jobs, well this is a new opportunity. Why not invite some of the many international firms that are now doing clinical research into cannabis extracts and derivatives. 

        Oh, and by the way, ganja and its constituent compounds are consumed in various ways and forms and some even appear in approved medicinal formulations:

        Sativex

        Marinol

        Cesamet

        The list will be growing faster than the plants do with new drug companies spawing every month and vying for market share in the new era of pharmaceuticals. If you play the stock market you might want put your money where your mouth isn't, its the future, check it out:

        http://marijuanastocks.com/content/list-marijuana-stocks

      • Anonymous says:



        My experience with ganja is that it make a person calm and relaxed, and well aware of their surroundings.  Want to eat rice and beans and cake or ice cream after.