Individuals are being encouraged to use cannabis wisely, “not for what we know as a high”, but for its healing properties.
This call came from Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, while addressing the opening ceremony of a two-day National Cannabis Symposium which took place at the State House Conference Centre from July 9-10.
“This natural plant carries so many health benefits, and it is time we use it wisely. Not just for what we know as a high, but to bring comfort, healing, and dignity to those who need it the most,” she said.
According to Poponne-Skerrit, without losing sight of the historical use of marijuana in Dominica and the Caribbean Region for religious and recreational use, the traditional use and treatment of this plant had led to centuries of focus only on the negative effects associated with its use as a recreational drug.
“But today, we have this opportunity to now shift our attention to the hidden less promoted benefits of cannabis as we endeavour to create a balance between the social and the legal impasse that has plagued the region, on the basis that cannabis has been treated as a scheduled drug with a high potential for abuse, illegal business trade and no current acceptable medical use,” she said.
She continued, “Such classification has had a major negative impact on our youth and has significantly reduced the ability of the general population to associate cannabis as a major contributor to the rich array of health and wellness benefits that [arise] out of Dominica.”
As Dominica ventures into its use for medical purposes, it is important that it is regulated properly, “and we cannot [turn] a blind eye to the relief that it brings.”
“Cannabis oil may not be a cure for cancer, but it plays a powerful role in managing pain, especially those nearing the end of their life,” Poponne-Skerrit noted. “And this is why we must understand the purpose behind what God has created.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Cassanni Laville said this symposium is not just timely, “it is absolutely essential.”
“Dominica is on the threshold of bold reform, ” he stated. “Our government is carefully exploring the development of national cannabis legislation that is evidence-based, socially just, and economically sustainable. We are not starting from scratch.”
Legally, Laville pointed out that Dominica has already taken important steps by decriminalizing small quantities for personal use.
“That has been enacted,” he said.“Work has also begun on the establishing of the framework for [a] regulated medical cannabis industry with an emphasis on research, cultivation, quality, control, and also to look at its export potential.”
As Minister for Health, Wellness, and Social Services, he believes that public health and safety must remain the bedrock of cannabis reform in Dominica.
“Cannabis reform holds real promise for [the] healthcare sector, especially in expanding patient care, reducing health costs, and promoting innovation,” he emphasized.“Medical cannabis opens doors to new therapeutic options for patients suffering from conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, glaucoma, and side effects of chemotherapy.”
Furthermore, he added that Dominica is excited about the expansion of research and development right here in Dominica.
“Cannabis regulation allows us to develop robust clinical research programs in partnership with regional and international universities,” Laville stated.
He is of the view that with proper certification pathways, “we can empower young professionals and redirect vocational training into emerging high-impact fields for our people.”
“Finally, and very importantly, this is an opportunity to integrate traditional and formal health systems. Many of our rural communities rely heavily on herbalists and community leaders. Individuals have vast experience that can and should be regulated, supported, and included in our national vision for health and wellness,” he added. “We must not sideline them, we must validate and strengthen their rules.”
They are so confused, that they contradicts each other: One in the person of Irvin or whatever is his name said they are looking into the potential of medicinal Marijuana: Now here we have this uneducated woman advising people to smoke, but don’t get high, when all it dose is get one high. When the term medicinal is used it relates to – medicine tending, or used to cure disease or relieve pain.
Medicinal implies a combination of substances that is intended to prevent, and treat diseases after diagnoses, in order to restore, and correct modification of physiological functions by exerting, pharmacological, immunological, and or metabolic action.
So, once again I asks doctor’s the uneducated dunce Melisa, Roosevelt Skerrit, and the clown Irvin McIntyre, who swallows, and bellows smoke like a chimney to disclose to the DNO reading audience, which disease they know that cannabis cures!
It harms people; it does not cure Glomma, as claimed, it heals no pain, it only alters ones mind!
I wish to make a correction: the word is “glaucoma” not ‘glomma.’ In any event smoking marijuna does not cure glaucoma!
dude,, from under what rock hast thou emerged?
Everyone, including Melissa, has gone way past that level of childish thought.
these people need to understand that they ar coming in at the TAIL END of things. think of crypto currency somebody coming today
the strain in the health system what do they have in place? With this come vaping what have they done about it. drug testing what becomes of it sooner or later it wil make it’s way into the work space. the legal implications is Dominica prepared for this.
you all legalize weed police.beating people to a pulp because plain clothes police not identifying themselves with a claim that the the individual is selling weed to children.
have they looked at the countries that thought that was a bright idea. which University is going to purchase did you all contract UWI or Jamaica got it first
human resource labor laws employers rights employees rights clients rights. tenants rights owners rights
rastafarianism is a different thing getting high and meditation.. the implications
The politicians see money potential
Well, the Chief sniper has spoken
before coming here and admonishing others. The “don’t dot it and let me do it ” attitude is pervasive in my land from the churches, police to the infant schools. Bondieu kay bon poo zort! 
I hope she convey that message sternly to herself, hussy and other parliamentarians
Why did this woman given the opportunity to express her stupidity in such an important symposium?
The woman lacks intelligence, furthermore, whoever writes her speech is as foolish as her.
We need persons with basic intelligence and understanding of the subject to represent Dominica because persons from the region and far beyond reads.
Please, please, please, can Skerett take his wife with him when he travels as his trophy and not allow her to speak on matters relevant to Dominica.
Resons: this lady lacks the intelligence, and representation
She doesn’t have the gravitas. She’s is an intellectual weakling. She is in fact unalphabetical.
People should not be that dumb
Well said, Madam!
Guy, can’t you see you are worst than Melisa, can’t you see you are much more stupid than that woman Melisa? it is people like her, and the other idiots in Dominica government which caused Dominica to be the best laughing joke to the rest of the world.
In Dominica it does not take academics to become involve into politics, acidemia is not a prerequisites to be a government minister, in Dominica, as long as one can talk garbage in patios, and give a hand out of rice, and decaying sausage, you vote for all kind of insane dumb uneducated people, and that is why Dominica cannot make any economic progress!
It is insanity in it highest form; believe it or not there are less than fifty-thousand people in Dominica, the blessings of Melisa, and Roosevelt to smoke and don’t get high is going to produce a whole lot of walking zombies in the country.
You all have absolutely no ambition, nor shame of the state of poverty and backwardness in your country!
Individuals are being encouraged to use cannabis wisely, “not for what we know as a high
to late for that
every corner people smoking ganja now like Benson and hedges or 555 , also no designated area are allocated so we just smoking all over the place
it is a bit late now to advs people how to use ganja
I guarantee that the very first moment I smelled that unique aroma as a youth, it was generally not being used for medicinal purposes unless stress release and euphoria are deemed medical conditions.
After several years removed from our “little rock”, my position remains unchanged as my olfactory nerves have been bombarded by Mary Jane’s aroma in the Boys high school bathroom, concerts, carnival events, movie theaters and many other public venues.
Dear Mrs. Skerrit
Please be informed that the way you and your wicked party have forked up Dominica, we need the high to escape reality
But for real, that lady have good guts we!!!
Nothing the Barbie-like lady espouses I take with a pinch of salt. She is given a prepared script to read. No consequential original ideas start with her. Consequently, she does not feel committed enough to follow through as with her promise to meliorate and spruce up Roseau.
Can I is strictly for medicinal value I could support. This could give a boost to the economy that is one of the worst in the northern and western hemispheres. Judging from its track record, I have serious misgivings that this Roosevelt-led autocracy can accomplish this feat.
mamselle doh have good head or something ?
you know thats what people want weed for ( TO GET HIGH . TO GET THERE ROCKS STEAMED . TO GET BAKED )
you go and give peeps rights to smoke in public now you coming and tell people doh smoke to get high
WHAT YOU SMOKE BEFORE YOUSELF COME AND SAY THAT NUH?
Comment of the century!!!