KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – Randy Delplesche, 27, is unemployed. But over the past few weeks he has “earned” EC$60,000 (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) from the illegal marijuana trade.
He is among those Caribbean nationals anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Inter-Sessional summit that begins today in St Vincent where the issue of decriminalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes would have been discussed.
Delplesche does not hide the fact that he too favours regional governments agreeing to decriminalize the drug for medical purposes.
“I think it is a good vibes,” he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), adding “no work is going on in the country, so we have to look to do something else. That is the only thing we can do and make a little money.”
A report by a group of experts supports the argument by Delplesche that decriminalizing marijuana and exploring its use for medicinal purposes could help boost the sluggish economies of Caribbean countries.
When they meet here over the next two days, the regional leaders will discuss the report that has already indicated that the Caribbean has a built-in competitive advantage with marijuana cultivation.
“The region may wish therefore to explore any commercial benefit from a potential multi-billion industry including research and development and also the production of medical marijuana products,” the report stated.
CARICOM Chairman, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the host prime minister for the inter-sessional summit, last year urged his regional colleagues to discuss the issue of decriminalizing marijuana, noting the steps taken in the United States in this regard.
