From CVMTV

Local ganja lobbyists have embarked on a drive to fan more flames on the public debate surrounding the decades old push to decriminalize the use of marijuana. Ahead of a local major conference on ganja, the lobbyists are adamant that Jamaica is missing out on trends surrounding ganja use.

The ganja law reform coalition, led by architect Paul Chang says there has been a global shift on the legal posture towards marijuana and Jamaica must follow suit to lobby Washington to lift the criminal cloud hovering over its use.

Paul Chang was speaking Friday at the launch of an international cannabis conference to be staged in September to, among other things, present the latest scientific findings on the use of the weed. Chang claims that Jamaica continues to miss lucrative opportunities in the marijuana market.

Attorney, Lord Anthony Gifford Q.C. has joined the crusade of the ganja law reform coalition. He was critical of the existing laws, which apply punitive measures for possession of small quantities of marijuana. Declaring his full support for the reform of ganja law.

Lord Gifford was quick to point out that freeing up the weed will not be a free for all.

For more on this story and to watch the video go to:

http://www.cvmtv.com/story.php?id=4019&type=newswatch

PHOTO: Lord Anthony Gifford, attorney-at-law, looks on as chairman of the local Ganja Law Reform Coalition, Paul Chang, shows off a piece of ganja memorabilia at yesterday’s launch of the International Cannabis Conference. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

NOTE: The Ganja Law Reform Coalition (GLRC) was incorporated in Kingston, Jamaica in 2010 as GLRC Limited, with founding Chairman the late Professor Barry Chevannes. The GLRC is a broad range group of individuals focused on lobbying and promulgating the increasing momentum for urgent ganja law reform in Jamaica. In that vein we are planning a major International Cannabis Conference in Kingston, Jamaica for September this year.

From GLRC website (http://glrcjamaica.org/who-we-are)

The Directors are Paul Chang (Chairman), Lord Anthony Gifford QC, Paul Burke (PNP), Delano Seiveright (JLP) and Mitzie Williams (who is also Chair of the Millennium Council of Rastafari Houses).

OUR PRINCIPLES

We do NOT promote the use of ganja

We do NOT believe, that ganja should be used by minors

Ganja is a sacrament to many of our sisters and brothers

Ganja is a plant with medicinal, environmental, recreational and spiritual uses; and also uses related to fuel, food and its fiber

Government should tax, regulate, control and provide public education about ganja, as it does with alcohol and tobacco

Government should retroactively cleanse the criminal records of persons convicted of simple non-violent possession and use of ganja