Former Justice Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Herbert Volney, has dipped his finger into the controversial topic of legalizing marijuana in Dominica.
Delivering the feature address at a Dominica Labour Party national rally in Portsmouth on Sunday, Volney briefly touched on the topic saying Dominica should legalize the herb.
“And there is one thing I promised the youths to say tonight. Don’t mind I was a judge,” he said. “I will say it, Prime Minister, legalize it. Legalize it. Jamaica legalized it, let Dominica legalize it.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, stated at the rally that he will be leaning heavily on the experience of Volney in the shaping of a new Dominica.
“Herbert Volney, I am sure you would agree, is a man, who still has a significant contribution to make to the social development of our Caribbean, and I for one, intend to lean very heavily on his vast knowledge and experience in the shaping and emergence of the new Dominica,” he stated.
He said Volney’s message will be studied and acted upon by the party.
“Mr. Volney, Sir, I thank you very much for coming this evening and I can assure you that your message to the leadership, membership and supporters of the Dominica Labour Party, will be studied and acted upon, as we seek to improve our method and structure of governance in this beautiful land of ours,” the Prime Minister noted.
In terms of the legalization of marijuana, the topic has been widely discussed in Dominica.
In December 2016, Skerrit said the government will seriously consider the use of medical marijuana in 2017.
In July 2016, Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Joseph Isaac stated that it was time for officials to seriously consider the decriminalization of marijuana, and expressed his willingness to “lead the mission” towards this objective.
In 2012, Attorney General, Levi Peter, made it clear that the drug would not soon be legalized, stating that, “Marijuana will continue to be an illegal substance in Dominica in the foreseeable future.”
Skerrit, in 2014, revealed plans to review and perhaps alter Dominica’s marijuana laws, with the view to lifting some restrictions. However, he emphasized that the government was not prepared to lift the ban on the use of the herb completely.
Marijuana has been classified as a ‘Class B’ drug in Dominica meaning that it is illegal to possess, cultivate, or sell the substance.
Those who advocate for marijuana are not interested in the facts. They give me thumbs down on DNO because they want the weed legalized for their own interests.
The following is taken from an interview with Doug Ironside, Public Health Nurse, working in the area of
injury and substance abuse prevention. It was published in the Orillia Packet and Times, May, 11, 2017, a city newspaper in Ontario, Canada.
*(Marijuana has the potential to become addictive.
*It can impair reasoning, impair judgment, and make school very challenging. Marijuana use impairs brain development since the brain (especially the pre-frontal cortex) continues to grow and mature until one reaches 25 years old. Marijuana is also harmful to the lungs, causing many of the same problems that tobacco does, including cough, bronchitis and heightened cancer risk.
*We know from research that increased access leads to increased use.
Continuation:
*It is a myth that marijuana smoke is less harmful to inhale than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke.*
I would encourage voters at election time to find out if the candidates are in favor of legalizing marijuana. An honest candidate will act accordingly to protect your children and grandchildren.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Diploma in Drug Studies.)
Dont let them fool ya…. or even try to school ya…nono.. Again they dangle the issue infront of our faces and we chase the carrot like donkeys thinking we will enjoy the “fruits”. Instead we just do their work for them which is win them the election and it is back to business as usual. I heard the same rhetoric in 2014. then its was off the table. Granted that it is already smoked everywhere even right next to the financial center. but i mean what if i told you that smoking dandelion got me higher than marijuana? would i be arrested? What if we decided to sniff glue, would it be banned? We play open minded but in truth we are completely close minded to fact, studies, information about the effects the pro and the cons of herb. Living studies like Colorado and Amsterdam are present but we falter. It is obvious that these heads DO NOT WANT ANY MARIJUANA used in our country what so ever. Like a firm stubborn mule about that opinion. when is the structured discussion on weed set for?
The amount of weed that was smoking around that rally you would think it was already legal
If this is true it shows they are powerless to enforce their own laws or the PM is flip flopping on the marijuana issue.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
It also says something about the smokers. At this time marijuana is illegal in Dominica. These are people with no respect for the law. The weed is guilty by association. Those who advocate for it are not law abiding country loving patriots.
The same is true in Canada. Those who want marijuana decriminalized here have been breaking our anti marijuana laws (and other drug laws) for years. Rest assured they have no respect for the politicians who give them their way now.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Hahaha Mr smoke A serious skunk before he come there
Cool, that’s very cool.
He and his Brother going to fund de support structure for dem addicts ?; nobody asking that question
Posted 2010-09-19 – The judiciary yesterday hit back at Justice Minister Herbert Volney for statements which he (Volney) made during the budget debate in Parliament last week.
The judiciary yesterday hit back at Justice Minister Herbert Volney for statements which he (Volney) made during the budget debate in Parliament last week.
In Volney’s presentation to the debate, he made several claims, among them that Chief Justice Ivor Archie had been involved in a “sweetheart” deal with former attorney general John Jeremie in securing an official residence in Goodwood Park. Yesterday, the judiciary issued a statement, saying it condemned Volney for his “reckless suggestion that Mr Jeremie was covertly undermining the independence of the Judiciary with the acquiescence of Mr Justice Archie.”
And you point is?
Posted on 22/09/2012 – Trinidad and Tobago’s justice minister, Herbert Volney, was fired over a controversial law that could allow charges to be dropped against more than a dozen people facing corruption charges, including two men wanted in the United States.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Volney, a member of parliament of the ruling coalition, had deceived the government by assuring the cabinet that the proclamation of the new law had been approved by the country’s Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a televised national address last night Persad-Bissessar apologized to the country and called Volney’s actions a “serious misrepresentation.”
This Herbert Volney is simply a nuisance and is of no use to the development of Dominica. I hope that the PM will not take anything he has to say serious. Take a look at how he has been a nuisance in Trinidad. Read and understand my point.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/news/politics/2010/09/20/judiciary-hits-back-volney
http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/trinidad-justice-minister-fired-over-controversial-law/
https://www.diversityglobal.com/Articles.aspx?type=mnews&id=529
This legalize Marijuana talk is only a matter of perspective, many ppl already smoke their full share of Marijuana even if it’s illegal.. The legalization of Marijuana will not necessarily mean that more people will smoke marijuana, granted some may choose to try it when it would be legal, but it’s not the status (legal/illegal) that determines whether ppl smoke or not, it’s a personal choice, just like some ppl choose not to smoke Cigarettes or drink Alcohol; they are legal.
The benefits of legalizing Marijuana will come from savings Gov’t will make from not fighting cases related to Marijuana, the monetary value of Marijuana would severely diminish pushing more young to other more lucrative production avenues..The taboo associated with this is clearly created by the world’s puppet masters steering things for their own benefit..Soon they will incorporate Marijuana in Medicines and Foods and countries like Dominica will still import it..Time Black ppl start thinking straight!!!
Volney has no regard whatsoever for the physical or social harm done by marijuana. He does not care because he sees there is more for him to gain by agreeing with the P.M. at this time regarding marijuana in Dominica. In spite of all the ill effects that have been published about marijuana in DNO comments and other places he has chosen to ignore them.
Last Sunday morning my wife and I attended a special church service in Brampton, Ontario with about 600 people. We heard approx. 20 young men testify how God had saved and healed them of drug addiction. They had gone to a TEEN CHALLENGE CENTRE for help as a last resort and encountered Christ
Most of them told us that marijuana had been part of the bondage they had been in. It was obvious for many of them marijuana had been the gateway drug. Then came cocaine or heroine. But now they are free! To God be the glory!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Peel Pentecostal Tabernacle in Brampton, Ontario
oh you’re back again to spread your lies Rev. Donald Hill, D.D., I rebuke you in Jesus name!
Bla bla bla……
Legalize the herb for the use of man, woman and child.
When you start using the herb and enlighten your mind instead of the foolishness you talking, then come talk to us.
Doc, that guy, is an idiot, a nobody!
Just because someone might be educated in law or any other profession does not mean they are rational. some people live all of their life in a delusional and mentally ill state, that guy is one such person.
The man has been a criminal from day one in his youth, he caused as much damage to the infrastructure of Dominica during the civil war in 1979, the damage he alone caused could only equal that of a raging hurricane, or Tornado!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Doc I am not joking that guy is dirty; people like him has been indulging in the substance all his life, it is difficult for an old dog to change habits.
A dog which sucks egg can never stop!
Hey Frankisco, it takes an idiot to know one doesn’t it? You and rev are lost and have lost it. Losers!
Oh get lost, you have now experienced marijuana legalization in Canada. You are alone, Your views are irrelevant, give it a rest id10t.
The new laws in Canada for marijuana are already creating problems across the country so you are not as smart as you thought you were. People here who know the situation agree with me and are laughing at your senseless comment.
Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Donald Hill.
The views expressed by Volney are the views of Skerrit and the DLP. When Volney said to seek the DIASPORA and deal with them he was expressing the views of Skerrit and the DLP. Didn’t Skerrit say just about the same thing at a St. Joseph meeting concerning members of the opposition? Didn’t one of his attorney’s say the same thing when he said to seek them like OBama sought members of the Al Quida and smoked them out of their holes? We can see the trend so to blame Volney for his statements, instead of holding Skerrit and the DLP responsible for statements made by Volney on a DLP platform shows makes NO sense. Volney spoke for Skerrit and I personally belive that he was asked to say those things he said on behalf of the DLP
Skerrit once again proved to us that he is a coward! I mean he is the Prime Minister of Dominica and I don’t understand why he would want to legalize marijuana here but he will not say a thing about and instead choose to let his guess speaker talk about it. The fact of the matter is, in an effort to lie to the youths of Dominica to get their vote, Roosevelt Skerrit would like to talk about legalizing it but he is afraid of the backlash so he has Volney, a former judge to say it for him so tomorrow after he gets their vote he can say he never made that promise. But we are not fools in Dominica and we understand that the views expressed by Mr. Volney are the views of Skerrit and the DLP but they hired Volney to express them for him. When Volney attacked those in the DIASPORA and called them “Jackass” he said it on the platform of the DLP and since they never put a disclaimer, it was clear that he said it for them. When he said to sought Diaspora and deal with them, he said it for them
A politician only advocates for marijuana if (1) he sees it will bring in tax money for his government, and (2) it will gain votes. This is why alcohol and tobacco were legalized. Now thousands of people die every year in my country alone from these two legal poisons.
It is appalling to hear a politician advocate for marijuana and then say he only wants what is best for his people.
If you speak out against every evil except the evil that is current you are failing your generation.
Let the church be the church and let the people of God speak out. I urge pastors and church leaders to take a stand against every social evil especially at election time.
I am the director of Living Hope Ministries. An international outreach of true-to-the- word evangelism and uncompromised Bible teaching. Visit us at http://www.livinghopeministries. Listen to the sermon THE NEW BIRTH. Read the article THINGS THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
bleh..”i am the director of blablabla..”
freshwaterlake:
What an in-depth comment
What insight you have
I cannot imagine your profound writing attracting many advertisers to DNO.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
hi it take the government all that time to think about doing that
the things is the country have work for people that have something that their done in the education world so for the poor people just have not thing
so if the law on it is giving the poor people have work to that their can do something
Ganja has already been legalized in DA. Anybody who dares to wear bright RED, calling him/herself a Laborite, is definitely on the weed.
These types of laws are not good for society in general. A government cannot just opt out and legalize marijuana.
If marijuana is decriminalized, it will still be illegal to grow it and traffic in it.
If a government considers decriminalizing it, much has to be considered, commencing with the youths and impact it could have on them. Therefore, tread carefully on this one which could harm; not heal.
Mr. PM, if you love the youth of the country dont legalize marijuana please don’t do it.
no legalization our young people are already abusing nd misusing it. i not for that
I HAVE MY CONCERNS OVER THI LEGALISATION OF MARIJUANA….We seem to be just repeating what others are saying….I ignored listening to Volney, because this man is a “Turn Off””” . He is an educated ______!! What I believe we need now is a discussion on the subject involving a wide cross section of society to see where we go with this…Since this has not even started, we still have a long way to go.
SKERRIT MUST GO!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
I hear alot of hatred and anger in so many comments. The whole world is now going in that direction. There is still a level of control even with the legalization. There is money lots of money to be had from Marijuana. I am not a user but ask me whats going on in the real world, i’ll tell you. Countries that are richer and much better off than us are all into it now. These same Countries, we need help from them yet they making millions from the same plant. We just must find a way to keep ourselves back and point fingers at others or talk with no fact and a closed mind. Cigarette is far worst than marijuana. Cost more lives more addictive much more harmful to the body, all research point to that, yet we grumbling over something that is much less dangerous and much more beneficial. Oh dear, how sad
You all waited for a foreigner to give us the OK to legalize? Are you all retarded or something?
WE ARE THE F****N NATURE ISLAND!!! This should have been done years ago.
We as Dominicans would have dominated the global markets where Marijuana is concerned.
Do you monkeys even know what the tax on weed is like? I will give you a hint… 1 year of weed tax, was greater than the regular tax collected in 2 – 3 years.
Tourism and agriculture would go up for sure…
I live among idiots…When i get to vote… more idiots.
You think marijuana would be good for your tourist industry
Yu would not want the kind of tourists your marijuana would draw to the island. Some of them leave more than their money behind. Trust me, you have enough problems.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Why would Skerrit associate himself with such a person who has such bad reputation.? It seems that this Volney guy was involved in a scandal in his country which led to his prime minister expelling him from parliament. If Skerrit wishes to be his buddy he has every right to do so but he shouldn’t infuse this person into the lives of Dominicans. His message( Volney) is very destructive to our youths. I’m really disappointed at Skerrit for his involvement with such character. I’m generally a bug supporter of Skerrit and his administration however wrong is wrong and this is wrong to have someone who was given a vote of no confidence by his party because of scandals encouraging the legalization of marijuana.
labour has been in power for 17 years they control the majority in parliament – they can pass whatever bill they want. For 17 years, they have been dangling the issue of legalizing marijuana. When it was for us to go to CCJ they did it in a heart beat – didn’t even take a week!
VOLNEY, ET AL STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT AFFECTS PEOPLES LIVES.
If you all wanted to change or amend the legislation on Marijuana – it would have been done already! But you know, it fools them every time, so continue. so Dominicans like their FUTURE – AIMLESS 7 UNCERTAIN.
I was listening to the rally via q95
I turned off my radio cause this vollney man
Was talking too much rubbish he is very
Disrespectful
Dont let them fool ya…. or even try to school ya…nono.. Again they dangle the issue infront of our faces and we chase the carrot like donkeys thinking we will enjoy the “fruits”. Instead we just do their work for them which is win them the election and it is back to business as usual. I heard the same rhetoric in 2014. then its was off the table. Granted that it is already smoked everywhere even right next to the financial center. but i mean what if i told you that smoking dandelion got me higher than marijuana? would i be arrested? What if we decided to sniff glue, would it be banned? We play open minded but in truth we are completely close minded to fact, studies, information about the effects the pro and the cons of herb. Living studies like Colorado and Amsterdam are present but we falter. It is obvious that these heads DO NOT WANT ANY MARIJUANA used in our country what so ever. Like a firm stubborn mule about that opinion. when is the structured discussion on weed set for ?
He want it legalize so that the mind of our Dominican youths can become like his own!
He want them to be incompetent as he is; failed as a judge, in Trinidad, setting more murders free to return in the Streets of Port-Of-Spain to kill again. And this is not “they say.” It is a know documented fact in Trinidad. His incompetence as minister of justice caused the Prime Minister of Trinidad to fire him.
The reason bind his firing then was because he implemented a prisoner exchange between Antigua government and the Trinidad Government. The agreement was not ratified, the ramification of the agreement was not completed, and so when the Antigua sent the Trinidad murders who were serving life in jail in Antigua, and it was time for the Antiguan’s in jail to be released they had to remain in jail where they served more than 25 years.
He cannot deny that because Glenmoor Teddy Matthew, was one of his victims and I know that for a fact, as I was married to Teddy’s sister Violet…
Continue:
He cannot deny that because Glenmoor Teddy Matthew, was one of his victims and I know that for a fact, as I was married to Teddy’s sister Violet Matthew!
Remember him very well Dominican’s he was one of the thugs who threw more stones in 1979 which caused the overthrow of the Patrick John Government, he is a nobody talking, a washed up piece of garbage kissing up to Skerrit edging his way into Dominica politics.
If that clown want to blow his mind on cocaine or Marijuana, that might be his custom, do not all allow him to have any influence on you all. And don’t forget he claims to be white!
Francisco:
Thank you for sharing this information.
Advocates of marijuana will nash their teeth but we will continue to put the truth out there. If the weed is legalized at least we will know we did out best.
Volney shows a total disregard for the known facts of the physical and social damage done by
marijuana. There is no way he could not know. Sadly, it looks like he may still have some political ambitions, this time with Dominica in view.
Last Sunday morning my wife and I attended a service at a church in Brampton, Ontario with a crowd of about 600 people. We heard testimonies from approx. 20 young men who had been healed of life threatening drug addictions by Christ in the TEEN CHALLENGE program. Most of them told of marijuana being part of the mess they had been in. There was no doubt for them it was a gateway drug.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Drug Studies Diploma)
Hertbert Volney got fired from his job cause he was curupt..Volney is broke, Pension money finish. He want a job..Watch
It is amazing that politicians will say anything when they are on the sidelines. As soon as they form the government, they become useless and do nothing.
All u to fullish. U all waiting for mammy USA to completely legalized it when it will be of no more value to us for u all to say it should have taken advantage of it long time. Bunch of hypocrites. The man is right. U people are near sighted man.
Maby in the next 100 years we are knot ready we need to grow our society hates it’
Volney is most likely unemployed, broke and washed out in Trinidad- he is probably looking for a job from Skerrit.—but in the process he really did not do any favour to himself with his bla bala ra-ra speech yesterday. But if this is what it takes to get ahis big job- then who cares right Henry?- Sadytg5
I was very disappointed with Mr Volney’s speech at the rally. He did not sound like an experienced speaker, and moreover the advice he gave to our P.M was disconcerting.
Slow clap.
I AGGRE with Mr. VOLNEY come and get his shear from the bulloo which the LABOUR party have squandering, and one thing I know is that these technocrats are coming back to take over from where they left since when Volney and the rest like him are LABOURITES ? Let those poor monkies follow them still!
shear? It is share.
It is a plant that grow naturally, what if they say mango leave would give you a high would mango leave be illegal also ? alcohol is worse than the herb , I say legalize the herb now skerro.
The argument that alcohol is worse than the weed is no argument for legalizing marijuana.
Alcohol should not be legal either. The fact that it was legalized only shows the stupidity of governments and their greed to rake in the tax money. This along with the fact that many voters wanted alcohol legalized. Use your imagination. An election is coming up. A politician knows his popularity has gone down. He decides to play the alcohol (or marijuana) card.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
To say alcohol is worse than marijuana is no argument in favor of marijuana. Alcohol should not have been legalized either.
Alcohol was legalized because politicians saw the opportunity to rake in money from taxes and it was obvious a significant number of voters wanted it legalized. If marijuana is legalized it will be for the same reasons.
A politician sees his popularity has gone down. An election is coming. A high percentage of voters are asking for the legalization of marijuana. So he decides to play the marijuana card.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.