Forward Ever, Backwards Never: Marijuana

‘Forward ever. Backwards never’. The gist of independence is to move forward – to progress. It is to be and do better, but sometimes it includes borrowing ideas from former colonial strongholds. For years, the Caribbean has remained generally ‘backwards’. By no means are internet access and proper housing foreign to us, but various ideologies, philosophies and trains of thought seem to be ignored due to the generally ‘conservative’ nature of the region. The legalization of marijuana (even in its use in medicine) remains a heated debate.

It’s safe to say that many St. Lucians would be open to the legalization of marijuana – especially if it were to be without any restrictions. After all, the number of those who partake in the use of the drug far outnumbers those protesting against legalization. The consumption and trade of marijuana is an obvious secret. Everybody knows but most people seem not to care. So the question then is: why not legalize it and be over with it?

Herein lies the rationalization of ‘borrowing’ from former colonial strongholds. The establishment of dispensaries in the United States serves as a generator of revenue. Predetermined amounts of the drug allow for some sort of control over its use. The economic opportunities arising out of the production of the plant are extensive. Its use in the practice of the Rastafarian religion has fueled a number of marches and protests by local groups. Annual 4/20 marches are the group’s way of raising some sort of awareness and lobbying for their cause.

As regards ‘borrowing’, a recent development within the region gives us a guiding example that is even closer to home. Less than a week ago, Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that the country will ‘allow the use of medical marijuana and decriminalization of possession of small amounts of the drug’. His reasoning is that the ‘prohibition [of marijuana] serves the racist and economic interests of past world powers’.

It hardly makes any sense that some would refer to advancement as following other, because as it stands: forward ever, backward never.