A secondary school teacher, who along with his wife and son, were facing drug related charges had “owned up” and pleaded guilty to the offense.
The prosecution has also withdrawn charges against Victor John’s wife, chief dental officer Dr. Adaline John and his son, Shannon John, a media worker.
John was fined $1,000 for possession with intent to supply 227 grams of cannabis which must be paid by 30th November or in default three months in prison and $1,000 for the cultivation of 23 plants of cannabis by 30th December or in default three months in prison.
He was represented by lawyer Kondwani Williams who asked the court “not to impose a custodial sentence” on his client since he was “sorry and had not wasted the courts time.”
“He is a school teacher and risk losing his job, he has owned up and is very sorry for his actions and he was a first time offender,” Williams said in a strong mitigation plea.
However magistrate Candia George admonished John for his behaviour. “You need to be more careful with your actions,” she said.
There was no separate fine for the possession of cannabis charge.
The three were arrested at their home in Sultan Estate.
Stupes free up on Mr.john eh I want my Spanish class d man ave kixx
That’s more reason to LEGALIZE MARIJUANA in dominica. Come on Skeritt et-al.
There are valid reasons why wise governments have laws against the cultivation, possession, sale, and purchase of marijuana.
A man behind the wheel of a car or on a bike who is high on marijuana is as dangerous as a man in the same position who is high on alcohol. Combined with alcohol (as it often is) one compounds the other and the results can be a disaster.
Many serious automobile accidents involve marijuana. Alcohol is blamed because it is easier to detect alcohol by smell and testing.
Marijuana impairs the ability to remember and learn which makes it especially bad for students This should be a matter of concern given the fact that so many high school and college students are using the drug. Studies have shown students who habitually smoke marijuana drop out of school before graduation far more frequently that non- smokers.
Marijuana damages the brain and central nervous system and is believed to sometimes contribute to the onset neurological disorders.
Marijuana is the drug of choice for beginners. It has been called an “entry” drug. Most people who are addicted to heroin or cocaine began their drug use by first using marijuana.
There are problems with the legalization of marijuana. The biggest problem is this. It is a proven fact that the more readily available a substance is the more it will be used. The weed only has two things that can be argued in its favor. First, there is money to be made by producing and selling it. Second, it gives the user a “high”. When you weigh these two things against the health risks of marijuana and the damage it does in society no reasonable person is going to want the product made more accessible.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
That not true a study has been done… you can still drive, you have to smoke a ton to be too high to drive…
This is so wrong it is stupid!
People smoke marijuana for one reason: to get high!
If the weed didn’t give people a high they wouldn’t smoke it.
If it doesn’t work they would stick to alcohol
Some people have a higher theshold than others. These people find they have to smoke more to get their high. Maybe you are one who can smoke quite a bit before it takes hold of you. But if it is mixed with alcohol it speeds things up and makes the situation much worse.
Human nature being what it is people will – if the weed is available – continue to smoke until they achieve their high because that is why they are smoking.
Nobody who is high is fit to drive, ride a bike, operate machinery.
However, there are many other reasons for not smoking the stuff. It contributes to the growth of cancers. It harms the brain and central nervous system. It impairs the memory. It also causes harm to unborn babies leading to lifelong health problems for the child. But wait! Did I forget to mention that it has been found to cause serious respitory (lung and breathing) problems.
The only pople who want to decriminalized or legalized marijuana for general use are (a) the people who hope to make money from it, and (b) those who want to get high and have a blast! These people don`t care what damage it does to themselves or anybody else as long as it gives them what they want now.
I am aware that research is being done to determine the effectiveness of marijauna as a painkiller and its use in the treatment of other diseases. No need to direct comments towards me about this because the medicinal use of marijuana is a different matter. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA AS LONG AS THEY CAN SHOW US (PROOF PLEASE!) THAT IS WORKS BETTER THAN ANY ALREADY EXISTING DRUG. Until then it is just another drug for big pharmacy to make money on and an excuse to make the weed more easily available to would be consumers.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
One can say the same of your views of the bible. You need to do just a little research and get your nose off where it is telling lies.
Dno what was wrong with my comment that u had to delete it. I guess u must have been hurt by the truth in my words even.when.it is not about u.
Here is one of the problems with these professional people. They are not making near the kind of money people think they earn, but there is pressure to play the role of successful professionals with the trapping of success that go with it. These trapping of success cost money which they do not earn as professionals. Therefore the shortfall must be filled by something. Some choose to get into other legitimate business endeavors, others take the quick and easy road.
why do you all comment on things when you are not aware of the facts of the story. If you knew what was going on you would not have said what you said. Therefore I suggest that you refrain from speaking on topics that you are not verse on. thank you
tell us what is going on, bcuz is what the news say we read
Yes! Do not keep us in suspense. Keep us informed and wise about what you know. This is how we learn about what is going on.
Toooo much preference, they charging a man da av one cigarette splif $1000.00 and they charging anothe wit 23 plants $1000.? Da nt right.
Which is one of the reasons why I like the American system. You do the crime , you pay the price….where as in Dominica if you maleywey and you don’t have a title you pay and if you so-called bougouise they are lenient with you
If they maleywey and they cannot afford to pay the price, they will be imprisoned.
once again – what is this? a High school teacher?! should be held more accountable than this!
I do think so. He got off practically Scot Free. No punishment.
what example is he to the stdents that he teach? and not even a Dominican nah!
That is the problem there is no sentencing guideline in this country. One man will get 3000 for 1 tree another 1000 for 23 trees. And those jokers in the Attorney General Office can’t see is that they should concentrating on..
you see…the problem is not with the “weed” you know, its with we human beings with our lack of prudence and self control and our greed,and our other bad qualities that can allow us to abuse and mis-use the good things provided to us by nature. That’s why we have to impose laws on ourselves to prevent the negative effect of our bad behaviors from poisoning our society/community. We have to control ourselves and keep the balance. Weed not bad…but We can be for sure
Sounds like a small amount to supply. Seems more for private consumption to me. Marijuana use for such purposes should not be criminalized.
Please, read the DNO report carefully. The accused pleaded GUILTY to a charge of “possession with the intent to supply”. He did not claim it was for his own, private use only. It can not be any clearer than that
This is about half a pound of weed. That could be consumed by one person in less than a week. Honestly this is even less than half a pound because you don’t smoke the plant but instead the buds so the mass of useful weed is quite minimal or fractional. 23 trees can be for personal use easily. The man pleaded guilty because a plea is really an arrangent. He is not going to win by getting charged with what he wants. That’s how the law teaches its lessons.
It is a serious matter, “with intent to supply.” Anyway can you prove what he stated is true?
The point is it is illegal and if it is illegal he should not be growing it…can you imagine the man teaching young boys/men what kind of example is he setting?? We already know the problems we having with our youth, particularly young men…I’m so disappointed in this ‘teacher’…what are the parents of these students going to say to their young boys/men?? And to make it worse the Court seem to be endorsing this behaviour by imposing such minute fine…yet when is poor malayway they giving them fine that they know they cannot afford and then they go to prison since they’re unable to pay the fine…Can someone say Double Standard!!!
I agree. Being a teacher, he has set a bad example. He cannot teach the children not to ingest marijuana and do not grow it. I think he will say it should be legalized.
that magistrate too sweet if is mr. lewis that man in big shit $1000.00 for 23 trees. man count your blessings eh
Ummm, that’s only 8oz of plant dude, really? You arrest a man for 8oz of plant and put his career in jeopardy? I agree the cops have to earn their paychecks but, come on dude, this guys is by no means capitalizing by having 8oz of plant! Cops are arresting the WRONG PEOPLE in the name of drug prevention!
People see such things differently. One is right and one is wrong.
How many plants? 23? I think they would amount to more than 8 ozs.
You fail to realize that he is a teacher of youths. What type of person is he to be cultivating marijuana? He should feel guilty about it and being caught and charged.
If he were in the US or Canada, no doubt Europe, the latter I hope, since he was caught and charged, he would have been fired on the spot. The Law in those lands takes this seriously especially where children are involved since he is a teacher.
big fish will always get away
So is he going to keep his job and continue to teach our kids??
How do we know how much of that weed he gave to our kids for distribution and use??
The Civil Service System needs to be revamped.
The police have to carry out their duties however I support the legalization of the herd but it looks like he was cultivating to sell his family looks like its a well to do one he should leave that to less fortunate Dominicans.
Once is at your home they come, brother somebody sell you out.
i agree with him
in the state of Ca. $1 out of every $4 in that economy is generated from the sale of cannabis. why are they still hunting down people in the Caribbean for cannabis. this nonsense needs to stop. the US is giving license to cultivate and grow their own economy. While they come to the Caribbean to help destroy it so that coke can come in. It is time we island people wake up n smell the coffee and stop being brain-washed by this Beast they call America. cannabis has always been wit us and we never had all these social problems we are having until coke started coming to Da. I did 12 yrs. of policing and I till continue to think like and support the police but this has always been my personal view. the benefits of cannabis are endless if used correctly.
I truly agree with the previous writers although he should no better as a teacher.
We the man was trying something but somebody rat him out the only thing I vex about the wife and son being involved.
He was stupid enough to keep that thing in his house…….is he an amateur???…all the biggest drug dealers in D/a are never caught
Am I reading this right? The Magistrate old the man “YOU NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH YOUR ACTIONS”
Seriously madam magistrate!!! Someone who is supposed to lead by example especially being a School teacher, you are charging the man $1000.00 for an offence that the average offender pays a much bigger price for and allows the guy to continue teaching.
Is this what the criminal justice system has amounted to here in Dominica?
we are always last. we are going to wait until all countries legalize it before we do. way not get ahead get capitalize on this up and coming legal market?
cabinet? Cabinet? legalize it, this is a way out for our people.
alcohol is legal, tobacco is legal, why not weed?
we are always “las ca ca rat”
Can anyone can name one area where no marijuana is grown in a backyard somewhere? Dr John was on 12,000 dollar bail. What now. To cho toooo flam, we too quick to judge. Diminicans learn!
“Honesly he is my teacher and i aint gonna blame him for this… he was stuck on a techers salary aint his fault…”
If you are his student, then you are a very poor example, and the parents of other children should demand his resignation, or Petter should fire him. If you are an example of the children he has taught, one does not have to wonder why we read so many stupid comment written by people like you on DNO.
“i aint gonna”
what is that, you are not speaking the English language here, you are dumb, a dunce, and indeed a product of one who may have showed up in the class strong out on drugs, thus his products are people like you!
You people are disgusting, and have no shame!
You do not even know how to spell honestly: what is this: “honesly?” The word is honestly; the correct way to spell “teachers” is as I wrote it in the quote, and not the way you spelt it “techers.”
You need to find an real teacher, perhaps you will eventually learn something different, to help develop your mind.
If you are unable to communicate in the English language perhaps you should write in patios, but maybe you can’t even manage that.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
MrcTelemaque.
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well Mr Telemaque you just can’t miss a chance to criticize our people . Just remember if you ever get into trouble in California we will still do our best to help you.
“You need to find an real teacher”,
these are your words.
Calm down!
You should really do some editing of your own comments BEFORE you criticise others. He who knows not that he knows not …….
Francisco, please do not make me laugh. That is all I can do about your comments. You are funny; did not read it fully. Give them a break, eh!
These are Civil Servants, Dominicans positively contributing daily to the sustainance and growth of the socio economic environment
Now, are they criminals because the cultivated a plant?
Lagalize Marijuana in D Nature Island
Why is weed so much of a big crime when cocaine is roaming our streets destroying our young people ….Marijuana grows naturally while cocaine goes through a process…..professor Victor you’re no killer or cocaine trafficker .
Hold strong Maggie, the Good Lord will carry you with all the pain. For those who condemned you we will pray for them.
Victor be careful, watch your step. This was a close call and could have been plenty worse.
God bless and give praises.
They doesn’t pay teachers for all the hard work they doing so what all u expect. A teacher has to buy working clothes, manilla, marker(almost $10), feed their family. Pay bills on lil money that’s what u will get. A primary school teacher who is not yet appointed but has gone to teachers college and working for 3 years cannot even get a decent salary…. Therefore I don’t blame the man
Stop that talk. We must be responsible. So anyone who feels they are not paid well can break the law? There are people with good salaries who break the law.. Teachers are workers LIKE everyone else.
Nurses could say the same thing.. when will it end? I am not saying he is bad, actually I know him to be a good person, so please do not speak for him and make that an excuse to break the law..
what about those custom officer with big ride and large house inn bois beau on little salary check them too
You are a teacher and your wife is a chief dental officer. Both of you have a son. Why would you want to grow, cultivate and traffic in this which is illegal?
I wonder if she knew about it. Now everybody in D/ca knows about you. For people of your calibre, it must have been embarrassing and humiliating to be arrested. No matter what, it is still a bad mark on you and leaves a bad one and name. It is a disgrace and bad example for one who is a teacher. No excuse!
A 25 yr old was on his way to work smoking a joint he saw the cops threw the joint in the river YET the joint was fished out of the river and he was arrested spent a full weekend in the “holding” jail taken to court the following Monday and charged $700.00. THIS IS A TRUE STORY. Dominica is proving indeed to be an island of “who is who”
Oh please, since when a plant becomes a drug?? It is time for the government to look into changing the laws on this matter.
me affi come fi dash a fire pon dis. free up de herbs nuh man…babylon ou ka ale desan.
I SEE ALOT OF FOOLISHNESS IS happening in DA .Early this year Ezra Edmond plea guilty and was charge for marijuana possession. His son and cousin were charge for the same incident. Now John`s wife and Son goes free for a similar finding. Can someone tell what is happening?
What kind of example is he setting for his students when he fragrantly chose to break the law?
Whether you think possession or even cultivation of marijuana should be legalized, the fact is, unless the law is changed, what they did was illegal. As a parent I would have no respect for such a teacher teaching my child. He should be fired from that position.
I don’t smoke or drink. Too much publicity for this minor offence. Why wasn’t the Bin bobol and the fertilizer bobol given all this publicity?
So well known drug dealers can do what they want in the country and the police and the media want to embarrass this man and his family for a few marijuana plants?!? Where’s the consistency? Is it because Mr John isn’t paying off the police officers,ministers, lawyers and judges to get away with it??? This place is ridiculous
You mean all that hype and media attention for 23 plants!!!!! I understand it is illegal and should not be encouraged but so is gambling. Who arrests the gamblers?
what a justice system, one joint they charging you a thousand dollars , 227 grams same charge, 23 plant same charge magwaysa better u make them catch you with more than one joint. first country i see with legal crimes,how do u expect to curb crime without hard enough penalty
I hope he is just not taking the blame for cover up.
I am a big supporter for the legalizing of the weed and I wish the guy didn’t have to pay any money.
Saying all this, based on past publications of ganja cases, punishment is not dished out evenly nah sah.
If that was a poor malayway…
Hello and good evening my people. Well Mr John should be fined $5,000.00 dollars and also have to perform one hundred hours of community service. The board of education should also suspend him for one month without pay because he is an educator who should know better. What kind of example is he setting for the children he is teaching.
prosecuting for a small amount of weed is waste of court resources seriously.
if it was a little rasta he would have to pay all his mother and grandmother savings but those whatever. All of them knew that was going on, why his wife did not call the police. it have more still
Hold strong Victor!
It’s about time that our legislatures look at the issue of marijuana.This natural creation of God can never be destroyed nor eradicated.
It’s about time that Dominica decriminalize the possession and use of the herb.Too much time and resources are wasted on the enforcement of these arcane laws. substances such as alcohol,tobacco and prescription drugs are much more dangerous.
Please use resources where they will do more good! Concentrate on the coke and crack!
Could have done better.
I wonder if he was taking that in the mornings before he goes to teach our children and what his dealings with those kids were like. Research has shown that people taking marijuana always have that aggressive and rebellious attitude…..just wondering!!(can see the thumbs down already)!
Some points:
1. Mr. John is a teacher. He has a responsibility to be of exemplary behaviour. Those young people with whom he engages in and out of the classroom take their cue from him, his colleague teachers, and the rest of the adult population.
2. I believe persons who are caught with small quantities of marijuana for the first time should be given a warning instead of clogging up the already slow and overburdened court system and the prison.
3. I do not believe marijuana use should be liberally permissible by law. It is a harmful drug with serious personal and social costs when abused and misused. However, it should be restricted for medical uses where it is confirmed to be of medical value to treat certain illnesses and prescribed by a licenced doctor.
I can imagine pressure Mister will get from his students. lollll!!!
no comment … arresting people for marijuana is just plain Sot!
In dominica you get away with it.and in amreca you don’t get away with it
Why the comparison?
You are correct. In America or Canada he would have lost his job. He probably could have been imprisoned. He would not get away with it with a small fine and admonishment. His action is a bad example to the youths/students and the fact he was arrested and has to face the Court for a hearing. He does not deserve the position of teacher.
The man in Mahaut had only one plant and he had to pay $3000 and mista have 23 of dem and only paying $1000… That’s why people can never respect law in d/ca..too much preference :/
This is more like corruption than preference to me.
That’s so true this nation is full of injustit God will punish dem!!
And he can afford to pay more than $1000.
I so agree with you…that is something else eh
alot of other things come into play with the law all cases arent equal , he was a first time offender he will obviously not get such a harsh sentence also he plead guilty that also cuts it down in some cases, however sometimes i do agree that preference affects the sentencing in alot of cases
I could not agree with you more. There is one law for the common men and there is another law for the so called ‘middle class’ and ‘high society’. The law should be tougher on the later two as there is absolutely no good reason for them to grow weed. The only possible reason is greed, pure greed! And that is the worst poison in a human being.
Mr. John, as a school teacher, better yet high school teacher, you need to teach our young people how to be role models and abstain from everything that risks harming their future. By this marijuana whether it is legalized or not,coke cigarettes, drunkeness, gambling, illicit sex, etc. To me they are all in the same harmful category, and our leaders especially those that are directly involved in helping to mold them should be role models. This call is also extended to our politicians, police officers and all those that are in a position of leadership.
I feel sorry for you Mr. John as your entire family was exposed. Thankfully your lawyer fought a very good battle for you as seen in the fine. I hope this will serve as a lesson to all of us as we work towards molding a better and healthier nation.
Good comment.
Santa Clause you need to shut up.which hell role model you talking bout? Sorry because he was exposed? Chupesssss..listen up I dont give two hoot what you tink but I will not life my life for nobody. So what? I supposed to wear granny dresses, no party, no sex, no boyfriend, no noting cause I a teacher? Well lemme tell you sumtin cause it seems like as if some of you people tink that once somebody join the teaching service they HAVE to make an immediate change. I teach a subject i aint no class teacher..i teach what i am good at and den I bounce…me not no counselor, You all talking like as if teachers have to be saints. I instruct and daz it..nobody hired me to do no conselling..when i done i go home and i smoke my weed and I am female….yeah yeah yeah..wat kinda teacher dat? Well I get paid to teach what i studied nothing else. You tink i have time to sit down and worry bout what people gots to say?? After I teach I just want my money and i gone. I will not live my life hiding cause people watching me….i do what i want wen i want..who vex get lost..i live my life for me and i smoke my week every single day..if they want to fire me..who cares ..i go look for another job
Santa is correct. Make no mistake about that. Teachers definitely must be role models to their students. They do look up to their teachers.
Your idea of a teacher is not the idea of what a teacher should be and to students.
A dedicated teacher does not put money first as you have stated. This means you are only a teacher for the pay cheque. With that type of mentality, might as well quit teaching or never teach at all.
Santa Claus
What about no law, no constitution rant from the PM. Is this rant teaching our youth people to be role models in society and respecting our constitution and upholding the law of the land?
Need to hear your feedback on the above, Santa Claus . Consider impartiality in your response.
Thanks
Your question and the following one are way off topic. Not worth responding.
@Santa Claus. What about the no law, no constitution rant of the PM. Is this rant teaching our youth to be role models in society, and to respect our constitution and uphold the law of our land?
I would greatly appreciate your feedback on the above Santa Claus.
Please consider impartiality in your response.
An objective Dominican
I agree
Santa Claus, it’s not Christmas yet. Keep quiet. Who appointed unto man to declare a NATURALLY growing tree illegal but alcohol and cigarettes legal? Please answer this question.
He should not be allowed to teach young people anymore. Teachers should be role models to their students. What a role model is that one??? Get rid of him. I don’t want my children be taught by him.
Marijuana should not be illegal
If it should not be illegal, as a teacher, what did he hope to achieve by cultivating it? What would have been his plans for distributing it and who would also be the recipients from selling it to them?
Honesly he is my teacher and i aint gonna blame him for this… he was stuck on a techers salary aint his fault… The guy probably needed some money and his salary wasnt cutting it.. ATLEAST HE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO SEE WHERE THE REAL MONEY IS… JUST LEGALIZE THE DAMN PLANT…. babylon will burn for all thier cruel ways
Although marijuana should not be illegal, the aftermath is illegal. If people were to smoke their marijuana and not steal or kill it probably would be legalized.
DO NOT HANG YOUR HAT WHERE YOUR HAND CAN NOT REACH. Cost of living could be managed. Both himself, his wife, and son are employed. What do you mean by his salary could not cut it?
RAS…..you are right…feel so sorry. Go find out what is the President Charlo`s salary, for doing what???????
Brizee Mart closed down. Go ask President CHARLO why…..I doh expect to see at Independence Parade, because we are Not free…we are NOT independent… We are dependent on a corrupt Gocvernment
You are a student and making such a statement? You are not on the right path.
What are you stating? His wife is chief dental officer. Both salaries combined should amount to an exorbitant sum unless they are living above their means.
Who is being cruel? You are!
legalization going to drop the value, use your brains when evrybody has who going to buy, and he didnt have to put his family in that situation
Dem police aint got nothing to do. A lil weed for de people home consumption. Trying to destroy someone’s career over a bit of cannabis while cocaine destroying out country and nothing being done. Dem police need to get wise… deal with real problems of society and stop trying to destroy innocent people.
i agree my bredren
Ghost … the police cannot choose which laws to enforce on their own .. As a country and as a people we need to formulate a proper policy on cannabis in line with current knowledge and relative risk to our society. All indicators are that we should be moving to decriminalization. and I hope we get there sooner rather than later …in the meantime the cops must be allowed to get on with their job as it stands… they have to enforce, we have to abide.
..so BB who is forcing them to enforce which laws.. and when?
you are wrong, the police do enforce certain laws like when the senior lawyer forwarded sensitive mail to try and discredit the IPO, no one got arrested, after years of public outcry mano case took a slow turn, what about the then inspector son who was caught with the same weed, he was released, no charge….what about the stollen monies from the treasury that buy bins and was shared to supporters by the stroke of a pen
True dat
OMG Britbob this is the most sensible comment on here…I wish could shake your big toe!!! Wonderful!!!
This is a real problem. Do you want MORE young people on the streets? Cannabis, use or sale, is destroying their career.
You are a ghost alright. Only they would approve of this. You call 227 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of 23 plants ‘a lil weed’? You must be joking, putting it mildly.
This was meant for ‘ghost’. What happened? I think there is a problem of re-direction or direction.
My first comment was booted out. Would that be the fault of Internet Explorer or…?
The police is trying to eradicate the drug marijuana which is destroying the brain, still u are saying that the police is trying to destroy the man’s career.
Do u know that in some part of the world ,people are being executed for being in possession or that drug?
You are right about the seriousness of using the weed.
There are good reasons why it is illegal in your country. The police are committed to enforcing the laws. It becomes the responsibility of the judge to look at each case and take all the circumstances into conideration before passing the verdict and handing down the sentence.
Here in Canada many years ago the Government of
Ontario licensed the production and sale of
tobbaco products with no hesitation. In those days it was cool to smoke. Even doctors and nurses smoked. Big cigarette companies ran ads in the medical journals! I remember our family doctor lighting up in our home when I was a kid.(He died of cancer at a relatively young age.) But those were less enlightened times before the studies were done and the statistics were published. Now we know that smoking is the main cause of preventable cancer. It is a undisputed scientific fact here in canada that 50% (one half!) of all smokers WILL die of a disease caused by tobbaco smoke AND many others who never smoked a day in their lives will die from second hand smoke! Here in Ontario alone OVER 10,000 people die every year from smoking tobacco!
Years ago it was the evangelical Christians who opposed smoking. Born again pastors preached against it. The Pentecostals were the worst! They did not have any science on their side in those days. They just told people if God had wanted them to smoke He would have created them with a smoke stack on their heads.
Now the governments across Canada are going crazy pasing laws to limit how cigarette companies can advertise, and where people are allowed to smoke. They are spending a fortune to help people stop smoking. If you go for a medical exame the first question the doctor will ask you is if you smoke.
If you apply for a life insurance policy they want to know if you smoke.
Here in Canada in the Province of Ontario lobby groups are working to loosen the laws restricting the production, sale, and use of marirjuana. If governments bow to political pressure to decriminalize marijuana it does NOT mean the weed is not harmful. It means they have not learned from history and are repeating its mistakes. And it means they hope to make money of the sale of the stuff. It also means they are betraying the very people they are suppose to be looking out for.
A polititian who is less than a true statesman may do it.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.