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

SolidRockr@aol.com

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