A special sitting of the National Youth Parliament will be held on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, to debate the use of marijuana in Grenada.
It will be held at the Houses of Parliament, Mt Wheldale, St George, starting at 9:30 am.
Deslyn Williams, Project Officer responsible for Youth Parliament, is excited about the debate that will be presented on the resolution as it provides a youth perspective on the topic. She said the participants of this Special Youth Parliament are seasoned participants who are expected to give a good account of themselves.
Youth participation and representation will come from each parish including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and members of the public are invited to witness the youth parliamentarians in action.
The Resolution for this special sitting is as follows:
AND WHEREAS, in the state of Grenada, marijuana is a controlled substance under the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act 1992.
AND WHEREAS in 2024, Caricom Heads of Government, at their 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting, saw it fit to mandate the establishment of a commission to integrate the issue of possible reform to the legal regimes regulating marijuana in Caricom countries.
AND WHEREAS young people in Grenada have criminal records because of the recreational use or possession of small quantities of marijuana.
AND WHEREAS there are well-researched opportunities for the commercial and medicinal use of marijuana derivatives such as hemp.
Be it resolved that the Government of Grenada amends the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act to remove marijuana as an illegal substance, with set limitations/restrictions.
Be it resolved that the Government of Grenada undertakes the requisite steps to expunge the records of people who have criminal records because of recreational use of marijuana.
Be it resolved that the Government of Grenada provides opportunities for research that would aid in the production of cannabis for export and local manufacturing purposes.
The National Youth Parliament is a platform provided to young people to enhance their knowledge of parliamentary procedures, and to give them the opportunity to voice their concerns on topical issues in the country.
This special sitting of the National Youth Parliament will be streamed live on the Government Information Service (GIS) Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture
