Upcoming marijuana amnesty leads to suspension of eradications

COMMISSIONER OF Police (COP) Colin John said that no more marijuana eradication campaigns will be carried out at this time.

The Commissioner told SEARCHLIGHT, it is the policy of the government that, because of an upcoming marijuana amnesty, eradications have been suspended.

Once a date is set, people who are illegally growing cannabis in this country will be able to hand over the crop without being criminally prosecuted and, potentially, be able to sell it for medicinal use.

The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act (2018) was the second cannabis related Act to be passed in 2018 in the House of Assembly.

Despite the suspension of eradication, on Tuesday January 14, Hamilton Edwards, a Fitz Hughes resident, had his marijuana plantation at Golden Vale, Chateaubelair, destroyed by members of the local constabulary. His two employees were also detained but were later released without charge. Edwards said the decision of the police to destroy his field, despite him

being told and encouraged by President of the Cannabis Revival Committee (CRC) Junior “Spirit” Cottle to plant weed, has set him back and he is seeking compensation. He is of the opinion that the eradication was carried out because he is a supporter of the New Democratic Party (NDP). The COP said the amnesty law was passed, but it has not been promulgated, however, in order to make sense of the amnesty the police will not embark on any eradication at this time.