Local doctor confident cannabis will be legalized in Dominica

Dr. Pascal believes cannabis will be legalized in Dominica

“Whether we like it or not Cannabis [Marijuana] will be legal in Dominica”.

This is a statement by Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr. Irvin Pascal who was speaking at the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) ‘Eggs & Issues Breakfast’ held at the Prevo Cinemall on Thursday.

“The thing for us in Dominica is whether we have the self-confidence and the capacity to play in these high stakes,” he stated. “The other reason why I think cannabis will be legal in Dominica is that we are people we tend to follow where others lead, so we will follow. There is no doubt about that.”

Dr. Pascal stated however that legalization of marijuana doesn’t come without significant regulations to protect the public.

He stated further that some studies have shown that the people who smoke cannabis have less lung cancer than those who smoke cigarettes.

He mentioned also that the areas of concern, from the public perspective, is the risk to teenagers with neuropsychiatric disorders.

“Because as I said the system is significantly involved in the development of the brain, so in those teenage years that’s where the highest risk of what we call neuropsychiatric disorders exist,” Dr. Pascal explained.

According to Dr. Pascal a journal called “Marijuana Business Daily” printed an article which said that in 2016 the global legal cannabis economy stood at $14-billion and it will grow by 1,000 percent to $140-billion by 2027.

He stated that there is documented evidence that cannabis was used in traditional societies for medical purposes 5,000 years ago.

“It was only in the 1700s and 1800s it was brought to Europe by a physician and has been used in Europe and North America since, then until about 1942 when its use for medical purposes was prohibited,” Dr Pascal explained.

He said to-date some of the approved uses of cannabis include; for appetite stimulation in AIDS patients, for nausea and vomiting when getting Chemotherapy for cancers and chronic pains among other things.

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26 Comments

  1. Karen Jones
    May 17, 2019

    I am posting from Canada where mJ has been legal for almost a year and the place has not fallen apart… in fact the government stores that selll it cannot keep up with the demand.. lots of money being made in taxes… it is definitely better for you than cigarettes… I noticed cigarettes are cheap in Dominica, here in Canada a pack of 20 costs $18.00 the taxes are so high because the health care of smokers is so expensive, especially if they live over 60….. lung cancer, bladder cancer, blindness, oral cancer, congestive occlusive pulmonary disease… horrid stuff… so raise the taxes of cigarettes and legalize marihujana…. win / win.

  2. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    July 15, 2018

    Irvin, while giving people the wrong, and false notion that smoking Marijuana is good; give them this information also:

     The main active chemical present in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Apart from this it contains around 400 other dangerous chemicals.

    Most users smoke marijuana with the help of hand-rolled cigarettes, some use pipes or water pipes called bongs. Special marijuana cigars called as blunts are very popular. Marijuana is also used to brew tea and is sometimes mixed into foods.

    What are the short-term dangers of smoking marijuana.

    Impaired memory and inability to learn Difficulties in thinking and problem solving

    Distorted Perception
    Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia
    Impaired muscle coordination and judgment
    Increased susceptibility to infections
    Burning and stinging of mouth and throat
    Impairment in driving skills
    Increases the heart rate in normal people and worsens heart rate in with heart disease or high blood pressure…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      July 15, 2018

      Continue:

      Increases the heart rate in normal people and worsens heart rate in with heart disease or high blood pressure.
      What are the long-term dangers of smoking marijuana?

      Studies shows that the potential chemical -THC, present in marijuana adversely affect human brain and mental health.
      Regular use of marijuana or K2 shows the same respiratory problems as cigarette smoking. Persistent coughing, symptoms of bronchitis and more frequent chest colds are possible symptoms.
      Studies shows that long-term use of marijuana suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system both in men and women.
      Highly increases the risk of heart attack in regular users.
      Smoking marijuana on regular basis increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the head or neck.
      It has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because of the various carcinogens present in it.
      It may badly affect the immune system’s ability to…

    • Nrt
      July 15, 2018

      No dude. Will you please crawl out from under that rock? It was made illegal by America for racist reasons, without scientific data. You are forever making things up as you go along.

    • Luan Roll
      July 16, 2018

      OMG… you even have apart-2 to all this stupidity? I wonder how could someone possibly be so ignorant. I do not recommend smoking Marijuana for you, however, do is all a favor and stay out of this conversation. OMG

  3. Daniel J Tanner
    July 14, 2018

    Dr. Pascal is forward-thinking. The government dislikes him for that.

  4. zandoli
    July 13, 2018

    Look up Canopy Growth Corporation, a Canadian company leading the production and sale of marijuana. They are buying up most of the competitors in Canada and Latin America and are forming alliances with companies in Europe.

    If the government is serious about commercializing weed, they had better look up Canopy and give them a call.

    A few farmer dabbling in planting a few plants here and there will do nothing for the economy. It will become just like banana where the market will be cornered by the Canopy Growth’s of the world, and our farmers will be left to toil in the sun for a few pennies.

    The fact is, these large companies are approaching this emerging market like serious business people. There will be very little space in the market for amateurs.

    • REAL!!!!!!
      July 13, 2018

      Zandoli…..Your thoughts started right but please tell me what we used Banana to cure medically?

      Yes I believe we should be mindful of the bigger corporation.
      But as long as we provide a high grade product due to our soil and hemp grade that produce the most successful benefits in the medical market there will be a sizable place in this market for us. This I think will be the higher end products which provides the best result which would demand a highest price.

      But this is not going to be an easy venture as lucrative as it is …….we are going to need our brightness on this initiative with a compelling long term business strategic along the lines of medical manufacturing, smart agriculture(IOT) growth, INTL marketing/sales and production.

  5. jingbo
    July 13, 2018

    Mr looking well high already.

  6. Rastaforhigh
    July 13, 2018

    Legalizing marijuana will only now allow society to benefit from its current use. Just look into the Doctors eyes and tell me what you see. But on a serious note, we are still under marijuana slavery as master benefits its use. Good point Pascal

  7. Canabis minister for international high
    July 13, 2018

    Legalization will only allow the society to now benefit monetarily from its consumption. Just look into the doctors eyes and tell me what you see. But on a real note, Dominica is still under marijuana slavery, as master benefits its use.

  8. July 13, 2018

    The most detrimental of all the so-called legal drugs ,are the ones presently used on a daily basis in Dominica. Alcohol and Tobacco, the legal domain of well to do proprietors, have ,and continue to create havoc on the health of the everyday consumers,men,young men and women. Alcohol, destroys every organ in the individuals body, when we add the breaking up of homes, incest, lost of production ect, Dominica’ drug of choice, comes with a destructive price. Yes, Marijuana have been around thousands of yrs, but the laws that we adhere to, are not created by Blacks, but for Blacks, the ones criminalized are the young black males all over. Over the counter drugs are even worst, you see, some have never been tested, humans are used as guinea pigs, while seeking cure for their ailments. Over the counter drugs kills and maim more people than the very day use of Marijuana. Marijuana of itself, can be very detrimental if not used the proper way, Real education is NEEDED.

  9. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    July 13, 2018

    Pascal it is shocking to read some of your rhetoric; as a medical doctor many will believe you; but I see lots of danger emanating from your opinions: 

      “Dr. Pascal stated however that legalization of marijuana doesn’t come without significant regulations to protect the public. ” Guy I am sure you know the definition of the term “prohibition” and that is in reference to America, and  alcohol.

    Prohibition did not stop the outrageous sale and consumption of alcohol the mafia made billions in the black market; so they abolish the prohibition laws, and made the sale of alcohol Legal, in the process millions of American Life’s are destroyed to this day. 

    What concerns me most is your rhetoric regarding lung cancer; I  Wish you quoted a medical journal you read  scientific, and medical research which stated people who smoke Marijuana evades lung cancer. I think that is a flawed statement. I can also tell you every human alive have cancer cells in our body; they however…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      July 13, 2018

      Let me finish this: Your reasoning that less people smoking marijuana gets lung cancer is not prof that should cause the legalization of this dangerous mind altering drug in the country.

      There are millions of people smoking cigarettes who never get cancer. Cigarettes are made from Tobacco. My late grandmother Margarita Alfred lived to be a hundred-three years old, she smoked a pipe filled with tobacco no less than twice per day, never had cancer; but that is not a reason why one should recommend the smoking of cigarettes!

      I am sure as a medical doctor you know that every human alive this day has cancer cells in our body; however, they proliferate in some people and not in the majority of us.

      How do you explain that?

      The reality is Marijuana is a mind altering drug, and that should never be legalized in a small very poor country as ours, that will affect productivity, and our social behavior too!

      We do not have to follow the leader America!  

      • Affa
        July 13, 2018

        Nothing new here. It is illegal and many many people smoke marijuana and have access to it. In regards to smoking, legalIzing will not change a thing except our youth and adults who smoke marijuana will no longer languish in jails and prisons simply because they were persecuted and caught with some marijuana; along totally racial lines. That’s the other aspect of this whole debate that prohibition created, until it was deemed counterproductive and discontinued. It wasn’t only because of AL Capone and the dig guns though.

      • Annon
        July 13, 2018

        What lame anology, primary school kids have better comprehension after reading a simple piece, and express far superior to what you just wrote, and without the fire-breathing venom that overcomes you.

  10. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    July 12, 2018

    Talks about foreign direct investment. Here’s an idea that would immediately boost our tourism product with a shot in the arm.

  11. Rat Race
    July 12, 2018

    Straight Facts!!!!

  12. derp
    July 12, 2018

    too bad it will be when I’m dead and buried, so long they saying they going to bring this and that, oh look I dun seeing grey hair growing on my head and still NOTHING!

  13. Jacinta
    July 12, 2018

    With everything else that’s going on in DOMINICA that is the only thing you want to talk about Legalizing marijuana. Hmmm???

    • July 13, 2018

      Nothing wrong about talking about it? This is not the only thing that is been spoken about.

  14. Karl Orndem
    July 12, 2018

    i agree, but we first need to re-educate ourselves about not just marijuana but also about other drugs. We are still living in the shadows of the Dread Act and are still influenced by programs like D.A.R.E. which have taught fear of all drugs. When in fact, these same drugs are used daily by the pharmaceutical and medical industries. We go to the dentist, they pump our mouths with cocaine processed into a drug called Novocaine. This is just one example, Herione, opium, morphine, meth as well as marijuana are also used by the medical industry in a number of prescribed drugs. We dont teach this to our children, instead we teach them fear, and reproach where drugs are considered. Our culture and mindset needs to change first, but i do agree with you doc. time will tell

    • waypapa
      July 13, 2018

      what is wrong with DARE teaching children to fear drugs? Drugs need to be feared by the iimpressionable legal or not. Marijuana should not be used willy nilly either this has to be controlled.

  15. %
    July 12, 2018

    But Skerrit has attended myriads of Caricom meetings,where the decriminalisation of cannabis has been agenda items,but he has not even had a discussion about that.When he returns home,he is not even questioned.This is hilarious!!!? I know that he is highly inarticulate,incompetent,lazy,dunce and myopic but why not start the discussion now Skerrit? Almost every other Caricom country has had such a discussion,and have had a policy on the quantum you could have for recreational use etc…Reggie made an incoherent noise recently, calling us hypocrites,and said that this marijuana topic must be discussed.Thats all.. Gang of idiots!!!Remember everything these lazies do is to stay in power…Nothing else.They are hypocrites who need to be kicked out.
    Where the wicked rule,the people mourn.This DLP is an evil and wicked Party..

    • July 13, 2018

      You seem to be discribing yourself in your idiotic political rant.

    • viewsexpressed
      July 13, 2018

      We concur with everything that you have written. Well said, well drafted, well delivered. Thanks.

      Skerrit and his boys and bon flies must go

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