Petterson Carnoville has been fined $1,000 for cultivating three marijuana plants at his home in Campbell.
He appeared in court earlier this week to answer to the offense and pleaded guilty.
According to court documents, at 9:30 am on August 30, the Mahaut police executed a search warrant at the home of the defendant and on arrival found his son there.
While conducting the search, two white pails containing the three marijuana plants were found.
His son was questioned and he replied, “Officer, me that put that there from seeds I picked up on the road.”
The police informed him that it was an offense to have marijuana in his possession and he was arrested for suspicion of cultivating an illegal plant and transported to the Mahaut Police Station.
Later that same day, Carnoville went to the police station, where his son was kept, and confessed to the authorities that the plants belonged to him.
“Officer me that plant it. I cannot let my son fall for that. He not even smoking. I am the one who smokes,” he told the police.
Attorney-at-Law, Ronald Charles, who represented the defendant told the court that his client is not a cultivator and grew the marijuana for his personal use.
He said also that his client has learned a lesson since he already spent “some time in the cells.”
Charles begged the court for mercy and leniency on behalf his client.
Magistrate Michael Bruney cautioned Carnoville saying, “When you were doing it you should know that it was a risk. You should know marijuana is illegal.”
Carnoville has to pay that fine of $1,000 by September 15, 2014 or in default of payment spend one month in jail.
He has no previous convictions.
Some of you are disobedient. How far you expect this to get you? You are the causes of divisions and disunity in D/ca. I am wondering what type of church-going Christian are you? You believe in the Bible and know what is contained in the Bible? Then obey the teachings of the Bible.
1 Peter 2 – The Christian in a hostile world – Obedience to Authority
1 Peter 2:13:17 – Christian citizen – Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether it be the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people. Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love community, fear God, honor the king.
This means honor and obey authority. The Word of the Lord.
There are reasons why governments should have laws against the production, sale, and consumption of marijuana for recreational purposes.
It has been my own observation that some who smoke marijuana for “medical” reasons – usually citing the need to relieve pain – are long time marijuana users and smoked it to get high long before people began talking about its pain killing merits. Some who are campaigning for “medical” marijuana are recreational smokers and obviously want to make it easier to access for everybody.
People who smoke and drive are not safe on the road. Those who drink and smoke then drive are more dangerous because the alcohol compounds the effects of marijuana making it even more lethal.
It is now known that marijuana is addictive. We once thought it was only psychologically addictive now it is known to also be physically addictive.
Marijuana is an entry drug. Because it is considered a “soft” drug it is usually the first drug a person experiments with before moving on to a so-called “hard” drug. Many today who are addicted to heroine or cocaine say they began drug use by smoking marijuana and regret the day they smoked their first joint.
Studies have shown that marijuana causes certain types of cancer.
There have been studies that show marijuana causes
serious respiratory problems.
Most recently studies have shown that when high school and college students smoke marijuana on a regular basis their grades tend to slip and a significant percentage of them drop out of school.
A joint study by Northwestern Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School showed a direct correlation between the number of times users smoked and abnormalities in the brain.
Dr. Hans Beiter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University reports “What we are seeing is changes in people who are 18 to 25 in core brain regions that you never ever want to fool around with.”
Research showed marijuana smoking produced a change in the volume, shape, and density of certain brain regions. Dr. Beiter said it is not known yet if these effects on the brain can be fixed by abstinence or if the damage is permanent.
In particular, the study identified changes to the nucleus accumbens and the nucleus amygdala, regions of the brain that are key to regulating emotion and motivation, in marijuana users who smoked between one and seven joints a week. Dr. Beiter said, “Our hypothesis from this early work is that these changes may be an early sign of what later becomes amotivation, where people aren’t focused on their goals.” The doctor went on to say marijuana should only be used by people under 30 if they need it to manage pain from a terminal illness. Marijuana use has the worst negative effects on young people because their brains are still developing.
This study was funded in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Marijuana remains illegal under U.S. Federal law except for medical marijuana which is allowed in 20 U.S. States.
With what is now known about marijuana it would be totally irresponsible for any government to legalize the production, sale, and use the weed for recreational purposes. No doubt there are legitimate practical uses for cannabis but getting high is not one of them.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill D.D. International Evangelist.
ahhh papa bondie………………so we come!1000 for three trees!jah!wat i dont understand is how comes peper mint,tabac zombie’ and all the other herbs not illegal?y is marijuana espcially?what the weed do them?that is how the babylon system be.anyttime they no th good uses of the herb they will hide it from our youths and poison their minds with the negative.so much weed women smoke with their children inside them .what happen?those children borning alert,attentive and wise not SMART!I do want my children to be smart: is wise that is the word!tell the babylon system GO TO HELL like how SKERRIT tell us for OUR OWN MONEY WE ASKIN HIM WHERE HE GET IT!
You deviated from the issue. Stick to the issue. You must comprehend that it is illegal to grow and traffic in it. Whether we like it or not, the Law is to be obeyed. Why can you and those as you not comprehend it?
Generally the Law of the land is the Law of God with the exception of certain laws which are against the Law of God and his expectations. It is disobedient to oppose it and not practice it. Live by the Law and you will be a happy and peaceful person.
Whatever else they smoke as you stated, do they traffic in them, selling them for exorbitant sums of money? It is like the Mafia which is illegal.
Marijuana is not Callaloo leaves. Give me some of the latter any day rather than marijuana.
He should grow Callaloo. A good pot and plate of it with whatever vegetables and meat are so delicious and nutritious. You do not get high on it. It is a healthy body-builder.
Why would anyone want to grow marijuana, sell it and ingest it? He could make money selling Callaloo leaves and will not be arrested.
you just a foolish and bias person whos mind is poisoned by the system.Get your facts right?read and learn the truth!nd stop posting lies on them people website.Do you understand?
Do You know what is the bitcoin currency?RESEARCH………..STUPPIDO!
My boy,go in the hills and plant your weed and not at your home.
The police will still find them.
Marijuana is still illegal ,wait until it becomes legal ok.
Change the law! Come into the current times and leave back the irrational fear of Marijuana. Remember the days when Rastas were shot dead because of fear? Dominica doesn’t need to exist in the stone age.
How some of you like to twist and turn the truth and think only of yourselves. Lest we forget, think of that: Remember the day when Rastas sought out Mr. Ted Honychurch, tortured him and murdered him for what he did not do them because he was a white man? There are other incidents of murders of white people.
Do you think that was fair to a man who loved living in D/ca, who loved D/cans, who never hurt anyone, who lived peacefully among us and minded his own business?
You would not do this to your dog or another animal. There is a price to pay to God for doing this to a fellow person. What you do not want for yourself you do not do to another. The Golden Rule.
“the illegal plant”…. how stupid does that sound!? When it grows out in the wilderness, does that make Jah a criminal according to man’s laws?
I know LOl I thought I was the only person that saw that. that’s funny on so many levels.
Yes I….This is how foolish we still are as a HUMAN race. How dare a MAN call JAH plant illegal when the book says the plants were there even before MAN!!!!
Who is Jah?
So what is your point? There are poisonous plants/trees which people do not eat. Try smoking them. They might taste good.
It so happened that they found this one and call it marijuana. Who told them about it?
Is marijuana more harmful than cigarettes? Does it causes more death than cigarettes. America made it illegal made the world look at it as the Devil itself now it is being made legal in some states and will be legal in all States soon . I believe when the whole World makes it legal Dominica will still say it is illegal. DA always behind time.
We need leaders with common sense to bring about needed change. These plants can grow on their own and have many medicinal benefits. It is a shame that we have so called young educated people in charge and we cannot effect meaningful change. Murderers should not be walking the streets free and people are getting punish for growing medicinal plants. We need to find a way as a people to repel these stupid laws. Or maybe we can all light up and go down to the high court? There is no jail that can hold all of us.
Yes, change – some change, eh, to legalize marijuana which does no good and no long term good for those who ingest it but illness, immense suffering and earlier death. This is no change at all and by no means for the better.
Legalize Marijuana in Dominica!
What you all are doing is wrong. What law? You all do not persecute beggary which is against the law, and I hope you don’t, but you persecute and seek out marijuana users as if your lives depend on it. What, just for the fun of it. And the judges go right along with it?? This is sickening.
My observations exactly. these tactics have failed miserably for over 40 years they at it. And the result, coke and crack flooding the island because they busy after marijuana. fyi, coke and crack heads do not like to smoke marijuana, they prefer rum.
God is surely alive ….
He really says “justice is his”
In what manner are you using the Name of God in vain?
Look comess! Penalizing a poor man for 3 tress of ganja. D man have to smoke his herb to release his stress. To be able to live in this nation is stressful. So many criminals on d stress roaming. I saw a young paro by courts bumping his crack live and I passing with my child. I hope is a massive rehab center they going to build with all that useless money they fining people der!
Is that the government contractor guy named Hugh Carnoville from Campbell? I think I know this guy.
a stupid law get that law remove
gay is still illegal but u never hear police coming with a warrant to arrest someone for buggery. never. but for three trees they are there. alas papa in dat da. it says a lot
I am in Canada but here people have the idea that the police are to are suppose to enforce the law and they think it is the judge’s job to try the law breakers.
Christians should vote for the candidates who will give them laws that uphold the laws of God. Of course we are outnumbered so even when we vote the mind of God we don’t always get our candidate.
We no longer have an anti-buggery law and Toronto is the Sodom of the north. Shamefully Canada like the U.S.A. has legalized same sex marriages and taken itself out from under God’s protection. There are dark and desperate days
ahead for both these nations.
However, if our nation had a law against buggery I would expect the police to enforce that law. All citizens should insist that the police do their job and Christians who are suppose to be the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” should be an example of this.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Just because there is a law does not make it right. During the Civil Rights movement the laws had to be broken to get the attention of the government.
Alas for 3 plants they go down with the man son
time to review the law…. and really to me its wasting the court time for a man with two plants in a pot….
those officers have more guts… u go on a raid u get two plants in a pot u arrest the guy ?
y didnt they just destroy it and let the guy off with a warning….
why dont they focus on catching those who import tons of cocaine on a yearly basis.
i not for marijuana smoking, but there is a thing call discretion….
why would u then give a guy a police record for 2 little trees….
think its time we review the weed laws cause that is one war the police will never win….
time we treat weed like alcohol…
its legal to have it and consume….juss illegal to be drunk or high in public etc….
cause locking up a man cause he feel like smoking a plant dont make sense….
what happens if guava leaves or mango leaves are found to give the same high….do we then ban them ?
Please Dominicans. Do we still have this non-sense on our law book. How on God’s earth can the growing of a plant be illegal. This law is unconstitutional and contradicts the rule of God. May common sense prevail and the changes be effected.
Left to some of you, everything would be legal. You do not care about the mortal and spiritual consequences. One day, when all will be revealed to you, you will and probably too late for you.
Why is it that when ever people break the law, be it for theft or marijuana, most people here think the police should turn a blind eye?
What kind of society do we want when people could go around, do what they want without consequences?
Is it OK to steal from merchants so long as they don’t break into homes to steal? If we develop the habit of not prosecuting and punishing people who steal from merchant, what makes you think these thieves will stop at breaking into your home?
You guys must think before you go about talking the way you do.
It has been proven that cigaretts and rum drinking is more
dangerous than marijuana, America is using it to treat many
different ailments like asthma ,cancer ,plus lots more, in america you need a prescription to get it.we have always
believed in natural medicine if .lets use it responsibly.
It is quite simple. They are social habits and acceptable. Marijuana is not considered a social habit, is not acceptable and is illegal. Furthermore, you do not see people going about selling cigarettes and rum for exorbitant sums of money and to get rich. You have no choice but to comprehend it. Hope your mind could do so.
Sad thing when you have to get a life time record for planting 3 trees to smoke and chill ur brain in that country. is the law but that doesn’t make it Justice..People need to understand Justice doesn’t mean LAW.
It was probably the LAW but this is not JUSTICE.
$1000 dollars smh..
Hog wash in this devil country,the man confess let him go free,the 1000 dollars will go up in the wind.
I vex you know
This is an unjust law, this man is harming no one and everyone else should just mind their own business. And it’s a foolish waste of time for police and courts who surely have better things they could be doing.
Yes well said like that man they kill in Portsmouth police station who for them to arrest they not doing it stupse with that law
Whatever you call it, marijuana is not nutritious. This is an evil trend. It will only serve to bring those who ingest it closer to the grave and right into it. Which you prefer, your health, illness, suffering and becoming a dead duck in the grave?
Furthermore, those who grow them and traffic in them are projecting a bad example especially to the youths, in addition to contaminating their throat and lungs and their entire body.
neither is kfc or all them other jink food that we consume… all that have our people obese abd diabetic and gives cancer… free up the herb
crazy injustice in Dominica
Marijuana is illegal in Dominica. That is the law. Until the law is changed, the police and the courts have no choice but to prosecute.
Petterson Carnoville knew that before, during and after the seeds were planted.
If the citizens do not like the law as it is written, all they have to do is petition their parl reps to change it or vote the party that pledges to change it.
You cannot wantonly break the law and then complain when you are caught.
Murder is also illegal yet murders roam the streets of Dominica.
The man plant his trees at his home and not on the streets…..give people a little privacy.
My lovely Dominica is going more backward while the rest of the world is advancing.
Free up D Herb
I can guess that people like you said the same thing during slavery days.
It is also ilegal for the POLICE to beat a man TO DEATH WHILE IN THERE CUSTODY
I know the law says marijuana is illegal, but this is proof that the laws need to be amended. I am no Rasta and have never smoked neither do I plan to. How in God name can we call a natural plant an illegal plant when it is proven to have more benefits than bad? And why should a man have a criminal record for having 3 little trees in his flower pot, when it is clear this is not for sale and distribution. This is a waste of time and is excessive use of law. Give the man a citation/ticket/warning or something. Where is our common sense?
We have people continuously violating our finance laws through fraud and corruption not one is arrested. But for Three marijuana plants you make news. Some people are going to say is the law. Well why are some people allowed to continue breaking law without punishment?
well said
its about time we revise our laws and grow up as a nation. we make something illegal that god has created to grow and beautify de earth.
Well done Mr Magistrate. I have always known you to be a no nonsense individual….
oh shut up!!! what is 3 little trees for them to charge the man $1000!?
What is the price of one tree of marijuana over 330.00d?
I need to start planting some now.