Rastafarians present marijuana petition to Antigua PM
Ras Frank-I presents the petition to Prime Minister
Spencer. Kiyode Straker looks on.
Photo: Maurice F. Merchant
Monday, December 13, 2004
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: The Prime Minister of
Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, last week accepted a petition of over
1500 signatures from members of the Rastafarian community calling for the
decriminalisation of marijuana. The document
was presented to the country’s leader by Chairman of the Ras Freeman Foundation
for the Re-unification of Rastafari Franlyn “King Frank-I” Francis and Treasurer
Kiyode Erasto Straker outside the Parliament building as he arrived for the
debate on the 2005 Budget. Prime Minister
Spencer in accepting the petition agreed to discuss the matter further with
members of the Rastafarian community. The
Petition is calling for the government to review and to decriminalise the use of
marijuana. It noted the sacramental use of the herb and the industry use that
can be made from hemp plant which it outlined can be of value to the economy of
Antigua and Barbuda.
Back...
Most popular
articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
Printable
version
| 
