Pubdate: Sun, 26 Aug 2001
Source: Jamaica Gleaner, The (Jamaica)
Copyright: 2001 The Gleaner Company Limited
Contact:  http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/493
Author: Richard W. Jones
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

SOVEREIGNTY AND MARIJUANA

THE EDITOR, Sir:

YOUR paper has published several articles on the issue of Jamaica 
decriminalising marijuana for personal use.

Mentioned is the fact that doing so would violate United Nations 
treaties. However, there is a way for Jamaica to assert its 
sovereignty without breaking any treaties.

The UNDCP World Drug Report (Oxford University Press) says: "...[none 
of the] three international drug Conventions insist on the 
establishment of drug consumption per se as a punishable offence. 
Only the 1988 Convention clearly requires parties to establish as 
criminal offences under law the possession, purchase or cultivation 
of controlled drugs for the purpose of non-medical, personal 
consumption, unless to do so would be contrary to the constitutional 
principles and basic concepts of their legal systems."

So if Jamaica legalises or decriminalises marijuana and/or proclaims 
the prohibition of marijuana unconstitutional the new law becomes a 
basic concept of your legal system and Jamaica would not be in 
violation of any treaties.

I am, etc.,

RICHARD W. JONES

Jackson, MS, USA
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh