Jamaica’s recent decriminalization of possession of up to two ounces of ganja is contributing to a dangerous practice that officials warn needs urgent attention.
Disturbing findings in the 2016 National Drug Prevalence Survey show that one in six males and 17 females drive under the influence, with most admitting to using ganja since it has been decriminalized.
Executive director of the National Council on Drug Abuse Michael Tucker has raised a red flag about the data, which he said highlights the fact that people behind the wheel as well as non-drivers are in serious danger.
He told the Jamaica Gleaner: “This is very troubling, as potentially these persons are not only a harm to themselves, but to other users of the road. Many times they might be carrying passengers, including children.”
Jamaicans do everything high…reggae..high….dub…high…
JAH RASTAFARI
i see a report which says increase in driving high but it dosent say increase in accidents so thats all propoganda to continue to give marijuana a bad name. what if driving underthe influence actually increased concentration and caused drivers to be more carefull? the negative people comenting against decriminalization have no clue about the diffrence between the effects of alcohol and marijuana. there are huge diffrences rev. hill just running his mouth and alowing his ignorance to shine
True.
But there are more once it is decriminalized simply because the brakes are off.
There is less restrant on the people. The suff is easier to get.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
It’s all a campaign by the stalwarts to push it back as they are well connected. The benifits of decriminalization are Hugh, they outweigh the risks. However, those they say admitting to using marijuana during traffic stops is nothing new, it happens all over the world. Many who are under influence of hard drugs i.e coke crack and other others are always quick to say is only ‘weed we smoke’ hoping for sympathy from officers who they learn are usually softer on them since it’s not hard drugs they on.
No need for panic, the stats will always show that. As long as the director cannot show increase in use of marijuana due to decriminalization they will always try something to say “see what I told you”. No surprise here.
Decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of ganja in Jamaica has increased the risk of automobile accidents according to the police. Allowing the possession of two ounces of ganja is unreasonable. This amount is all a person needs at one time to get high. When that is gone he can get another two ounces.
The decriminalization of marijuana in Canada has led to problems. Here in the Province of Ontario during the holiday season Nov. 21 to Jan. 7 police charged 22 people with driving impaired by marijuana.
An additional 610 were charged with impaired driving involving six deaths and many additional injuries. Some of this second group may have included marijuana. The police test first for alcohol. If that test is positive they do not test for marijuana because it is the same charge (impaired) for either alcohol or marijuana.
We are hearing of similar results in the U.S. where marijuana has been decriminalized.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Stop lying. The results we’re hearing are that driving high is declining in Colorado, not increasing: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/02/11/fewer-people-charged-in-colorado-with-driving-while-high-in-2015/
For a “Rev. Donald Hill” this guy is such a chronic liar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIqbo2phXdo. WATCH THIS VIDEO OF A CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT , NOT OPINIONS OF SHEEP WHO HAVE NEVER SMOKED OR CONSUMED. Understand that smoking while driving is much much safer than drinking. If you are not used to doing something like even taking prescription medication, maybe operating machinery, light or heavy should not be done by you. However, there are people like me who can drive around the island everyday with a big joint blazing all throughout, day in and day out and never have one accident.
Come on, that video didn’t show that it wasn’t a problem at all. And “less bad than drink driving” hardly means it’s a good idea. If you smoke it that’s your business, but stay off the road!
“may have included marijuana” hahahahah. May, but we dont really know, sp lets just say they were high off of weed. Rev your stats are dumb. In a country with millions, only 22 people in a 2 month period located in a country where it is decriminalized. Now tell me about alcohol. how many stopped for that?
“The decriminalization of marijuana in Canada has led to problems”. That is a lie. Marijuana is not legal in Canada. Get your facts straight.
“The decriminalization of marijuana in Canada has led to problems”. That is a lie, Marijuana is not legal in Canada.
That is what they want in Dominica
Just as driving under the influence of alcohol. Once caught, arrest them and charge them, This is, if they do not kill themselves while driving.
This is what will occur when these drugs are decriminalized. The advocates do not think of their danger and the harm they could cause to those drivers who are UDI, their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
This is the identical concern in Canada/Toronto. The Canadian PM is considering legalizing marijuana. Some authorities are concerned that many will drive under the influence. The Police and other authorities have to come up with a different strategy for combating this, yet another scourge in society.
They make and pass Laws which prove a menace to society. cause injuries and fatalities.
Folks, God is taking note of immoral Laws that are legislated in the land.
The authorities will have much to answer to God for, and the injuries and fatalities which are caused due to these legislations.
Politicians pass laws they know will appeal to degenerated citizens to gain votes. All they care about is votes and getting into office.
In this case they have no concern about the hurt they cause. When evidence clearly show their laws are not working for the good of the people and on the contrary are causing grief they have no way to justify their pronouncements. They move quickly to create another issue to take the attention of the people away from their mistake. Men like this who are running for office first see which way the political wind is blowing. When it becomes obvious a significant number of people are in favor of something they introduce the subject in their speeches and press conferences. If thy get positive feedback eventually it becomes part of their campaign. With a lowlife following they win their office. Who cares if their supporters are lowlife? A vote is a vote, a job is a job, money is $$$$$$$
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Reverand im sure you drink wine. What would be your argument is wine was made illegal. Non the less one of the worst high’s i have ever experienced was from drinking wine. So what is your point? For a man of God, you have a lot of malice and predisposed judgment in your ugly heart. Who do you think you are calling decent citizens of the world, many who hold well paying jobs, are well respected in their communities, some i am sure are part of your nonsense “church”, good people – who are you, Reverand, man of God, Sir, to cast your judgement on anyone and call them a low life, especially because they choose to consume marijuana, a God given plant which has a multitude of uses. If that is the case i would rather be a low life, because You reverand, seem to have absolutely NO life. Haters like you are just simply going to do what you do, HATE. Now dont be mad when people begin to smoke and consume and you notice your numbers in your pews decrease. Religion is a farce. God isnt your…
LOL, these folks have been driving high way before that…
True, because that is the kind of people
they are :!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Of course!
They will smoke and drive legal or illegal because that is the kind of people they are. The law means nothing to the people who advocate for marijuana.
The law gives the police the tool they need to lay charges. This does not eliminate the problem but it does minimize it and help to contain it.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
They should impose stiff penalties on driving under the influence. Whether it is marijuana or alcohol. Prison time and huge fines and their driver’s license taken away for a period of time. Stupid people will always do stupid things whether drugs are legal or not
What a terrible article from Caribbean360. A single data point doesn’t tell you ANYTHING about this issue. Are we supposed to believe that no one in Jamaica ever drove high before decriminalisation? Obviously not. So the only cause for alarm would be if more people are doing so now, and there’s no evidence for that at all. In fact, in Colorado, one of the effects of legalisation has been that FEWER people drive high.
Legalise it!
Thank you. I was wondering what was the stats before decriminalization. SMH.
quoting Red Pretzel from caribbean360 “I’m pretty sure there were people driving under the influence of ganja way before the studies were done and way before ganja was decriminalzed.”
In that case they are breaking the law.
This means they are law breakers, people with no regard for the law.
This seems to be the attitude of many who advocate for decriminalization. They will smoke marijuana if it is decriminalized or not, legal or illegal. This is because they are into their own pleasure and do not care what harm the weed does to others. Not only do they not care. They do not want to know. They call those who tell them liars. They say the facts are lies. Yet they care so little they do not even ask for
documentation. I rarely include documentation because my opponents have shown that evidence means little or nothing to them. Actually the evidence I use is taken from local newspapers OR professional journals.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. D.D., (Diploma in Drug Studies) (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)
Sheesh… Don’t just decriminalize and not place certain clause’s in place…
Don’t Smoke and Drive!!! Everyone knows this.
except them of course.
If they are stupid enough to decriminalize the weed don\’t expect them to tell you not to smoke and drive. It is obvious they do not care about he consequences.
Just remember them when you hear of accidents, injuries, and deaths. And remember at next election time.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
BABYLONIANS’ PUBLICATION! Don’t let them fool you. Don’t let them school you.