Dominica tops list of young marijuana smokers

Dominica is at the top of the list of marijuana use among young people in the Caribbean, according to Health Minister Julius Timothy.

Timothy has been quoting a 2011 study “which showed that Dominica in terms of the youth and tobacco use we were probably the lowest in the Caribbean.  But in terms of the youth and marijuana use we were the highest in the Caribbean”.

The health minister says there is a perception that marijuana is a substitute for tobacco.

“I want the population of Dominica to be very clear on this thing, that marijuana is not a substitute for tobacco, because that seems to be a concept these days,” Timothy said.

The minister later told one local radio station that his health experts were telling him that the majority of young men treated at the island’s Psychiatric Unit have gone there because of marijuana-related health problems.

His focus on the use of the illegal drug came as the minister disclosed that the government of Dominica is working on proposed legislation to ban cigarette smoking in public places.

Timothy says efforts are being made to get more Dominicans to stop smoking cigarettes.

He added however that the prevalence of marijuana smoking among young men was also a concern requiring attention.

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160 Comments

  1. me
    May 25, 2012

    I think the minister got it wrong, he should have said, tobacco is not a substitute for marijuana since tobacco cause much more harm to humans than marijuana…….hummmmmmmmm.

    • September 10, 2014

      “Tobacco causes much more harm to humans than marijuana”?

      This is only because those who smoke tobacco smoke more of it. Here in Canada it is common for a tobacco smoker to smoke “a pack a day” or 20 to 25 cigarettes, depending on whether it is a small (20) pack, or a large (25) pack.

      Marijuana is both psychologically and physically addictive.

      Marijuana is an entry drug. Many people who are addicted to heroin or cocaine began by smoking marijuana. It was the first drug they experimented before moving on to the harder drugs.

      Marijuana can cause certain types of cancer.

      Marijuana can cause respiratory problems.

      Studies have shown that young people in high school and college who are regular marijuana smokers tend to have lower grades and more frequently drop out of school.

      A collaborative study done by Northwestern University’s 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. Even casual smokers showed changes to the regions of the brain related to emotion and memory.

      Co-study author Dr. Hans Beiter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at North Western University said, “What we are seeing is changes in people who are 18 to 25 in core brain regions you never ever want to fool around with,”

      The researchers found changes to the volume, shape and density of the brain in regions that are key to regulating emotion and motivation in users who smoked between one to seven joints a week.

      Beiter said he has become convinced that marijuana should only be used by people under 30 if they need it to manage pain from terminal illness.

      This study was funded in part by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the White Office of National Drug Control Policy. It was published in the Journal of Neuroscience in April, 2014.

      With such documentation available it is hard to imagine people talking about decriminalizing marijuana to boast the economy by making Dominica a marijuana mecca for tourists. These would be tourists who come from countries where marijuana is illegal. Unfortunately such visitors often leave behind more than their money. It would not enhance the image of your island abroad nor contribute to the well being of your children.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  2. May 20, 2012

    My problem with this article, it doesn’t say which report or who conducted the said report.

    What parameters were used etc.

    Concerning users ending up at the psychiatric ward, what were their circumstances? were they unemployed or what was their level of education?

    What about their economic background?

    Have partaken in other drugs or alcohol

    and do they have a history of mental illness in their family?

    I have always been suspicious about reports and surveys because figures can always be presented with a bias, therefor, when ministers or other make statements, news media organisations should always do their homework and not become an outlet for one-sided opinions.

    • September 10, 2014

      You seem to be missing the point.

      The one single thing they ALL had in common is that they were all marijuana smokers.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelists.

  3. Mohamed
    May 19, 2012

    weed makes you go mad… it not good it makes the children parro. it must be terminated.

    • Carl Farin
      May 19, 2012

      Allah makes you a terrorist and jihad makes you a damn fool. No wonder the world rejects both….. Sot

  4. I know people...
    May 18, 2012

    Its true as one person said, allot of people in the biggest job positions on the island are smokers of cannabis, they hide to smoke it then publicly oppose it, i smoke and im a manager of a very fine business on the island, besides that im also a humanitarian and a member of many very positive groups on the island, allot of people try to drag down weed smokers but the truth is most crimes committed under the influence is done under the influence of Rum or other narcotics, the lowest will be marijuana…the only thing it really does is make one HUNGRY…HAPPY…SLEEPY.. THAT’S IT!!!!

    • September 12, 2014

      You didn’t say how often you smoke or how many joints you smoke at a time.

      There are always exceptions. But exceptions prove nothing. It is like smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol. There will be people who do it for years before any bad effects appear. Some never seem any worse.

      However, there is no way of knowing if they may have been even healthier, and more energetic and spry if they had not indulged.

      What we do know is that marijuana :arrow:

      causes some kinds of cancer,

      causes some respiratory problems,

      and that high school and college students who are regular marijuana smokers tend to have lower grades and more frequently drop out of school.

      A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience in April 2014 done jointly by Northwestern University Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, showed that regular marijuana smoking caused changes within the brain diminishing the power to focus, concentrate, and remember.

      Marijuana is also physically habit forming.

      It is an entry drug meaning young people who begin drug use often start with marijuana and then go on to a “harder” drug.

      The more insecure young people are the more they crave acceptance from their peers and are less likely to stand up and say NO to drugs. These are the personalities most prone to use drugs of any kind and become addicted.

      This is a time in history when a tremendous responsibility rests upon governments and educators to get this information out to the students especially teenagers.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  5. ilikepie
    May 18, 2012

    wait allu that is a lie dey go in de schools and do a ser-vey and my son did it and he say every body in de class lie so dont you think over 90% of dominican boy will put YES I SMOKE WEED jus for pair pressure and for a KIXXS for real….so that i not even worrying with that. its a lie and wasn’t done properly

  6. tect nee cal lity
    May 18, 2012

    TECNICALLY the minester doe mean what he said.it is a day to make a contribution on tobaco,so he went off in his own sphere cause he got paid to hit the herb,if someone gave him money to say something good about the herb you would hear a diffrent tune.anyway what these guys say doe make it good or bad and what anyone say doe make it good or bad either. the fact is it is what it is,take it at your own risk or to your own benefit we have one life to live and we seek the things in life to give us pleasure.they put us in a state of confussion,we can’t even reason on things without insulting each other,what a shame to see the kind of comments for such debatable topics.

  7. Anonymous
    May 18, 2012

    8-O babylon leave we herbs u never plant it.
    weed is good for the brain it cure TB,ASTHMA,an all kinds of deisease. it can be used as medicine to cure and heal people. weed is the healing of the nation . tell timothy stop talk an smoke a big one for him to get more knowledge. :wink: 8-O :wink:

  8. Francis Chicago
    May 17, 2012

    Joseph hill culture said that smoking marijuana he get inspiration in music.Well for those who smoke hope you guys get good inspiration in what?

  9. I REALLY DONT CARE
    May 17, 2012

    Cigarette is for paro…..cocaine too expensive….so weed it is!

  10. eyeswideshut
    May 17, 2012

    Emancipate yourself from mental slavery non but ourselves can free our mind…
    We need to start to listen more and analize more before we just run our mout.
    Jah gave us two ears for a reason, so we can listen twice as much as we should speak.
    Jah also gave us tarish, we give it to French to run
    Jah gave us water, we give it to Chiny man to run
    Jah gave us geothermal, we give it away to some foreigner to run
    jah gave us brains we ship that out to with no profit to us
    When will it end
    Jah gave us de herb and fertile soil and we spit in his face and tell him we doh want it and we put restrictions on our people – it illegal
    I say it is high time the Rasta Society in Dominca stoop up and make a statement…
    We busy allowing America any other white person or different race from us to come and burn our natural resource. We then turn around and go to dem begging for help.
    Family… WAKE UP
    I am not saying that we shold abuse it
    I AM SAYING WE SHOULD CULTIVATE IT, MANUFACTURE IT, SELL IT, SELL IT
    STOP HARRASSING PEOPLE FOR ONE JOINT
    THIS IS DISCRIMMINATION
    WE ALLOW THOSE SLOW POLITICIANS TO MANAGE OUR RESOURCES FOR US WITH NO BENEFITS TO US AT ALL.
    THEY BURN DE WEED AND LEAVE THE FARMER HIGH AND DRY WITH NO FOOD TO FEED HIS FAMILY
    THEY STILL TAKE ALL THE MONEY WORLD THEY GO AND BEG FOR ON OUR BEHALG…IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE DAMNED.
    GET SMART FAMILY…
    DO YOU REMEMBER BLACK TUESDAY… WELL I HOPE YOU REMEMBER…
    MARIJUANA IS A HERB not a drug
    CIGERATTE IS A DRUG… SECOND HAD SMOKE KILLS AND CAUSES A LOT ME DISEASES, PAIN AND SUFFERING

    WAKE UP AND LIVE FAMILY

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @eyeswideshut

      Your eyes are really shut. Marijuana is a herb? Why do people get sick and die from taking marijuana. They also get foolish/dootish. They are no good to themselves when they keep ingesting it. Ever heard anyone dying and young from taking real herbs and eating nutritious meals?
      Some people who are stoned on marijuana commit crimes as also murders.
      Listen here. This is why those governments will not legalize it. It has its dangers and is unhealthy. It is a slow killer.
      Soon I will be drinking some herb tea. It does not get me drunk, dotish and crazy/mad. It is healthy for the body.

      • In search of truth..
        May 18, 2012

        Can you please point to some kind of link or any kind of scientific evidence that links marijuana cause of sickness and health?

        Not fighting your stance just your words are just very very very emotional so please direct us to the kind of sources you are referencing.

        There is a documentary done in the U.S.A by CNBC called Marijuana USA in case you are indeed interested in Truth and Justice, I am directing you to one of my sources.

        So its a fair exchange I should think, I give you one of my sources you give me one of yours?

        The minister of health need to disclose his research as well as a number of us are indeed interested in his findings but unfortunately I personally do not find him honourable enough to take his word for it.

        Now we are technically playing of emotions of ignorant people to once again have a war on the youth of Dominica.Draconian laws are still on the books.

      • eyeswideshut
        May 18, 2012

        Dear Justice and Peace,

        To LEARN, YOU must want to be taught. To refuse reproof is stupid
        A good man’s mind is filled with honest thoughts; an evil man’s mind is crammed with lies

        MARIJUANA
        It is a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short.

        MARIJUANA is the healing of the Nation. It is the most complete HERB and maybe the first to be cultivated.
        It is the AMAZING SPECTRUM OF THAT PLANT THAT PERVADES US ALL.

        IT IS RESISTANT TO ULTRA VIOLET

        IT HAS FOUR CANNABINOID COMPOUNDS
        THC AND OTHER CANNABANOIDS PROTECT US FROM IMBALANCES AND RESTORE OUR HEALTH
        THC (delta 9) – Tetrahydrocannabinol – mimics the body endo cannabinoid – Creates euphoria. Slows the growth of 3 types of cancers, lung, breast, and virus induces leukemia
        CDB –cannabidiol – gives the sedative effect – anti-inflammatory- helps fight diabetes and malignant tumors, anti psychotic…
        THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin – make high come on quick but last for less time – CURES type 2 diabetes. IT HAS protective and preventative effect on malignant tumors – anti depressant – refuce inflamatio – reduce tumor growth
        CBC – Cannabichromene

        As a PLANT/HERB it is difficult to regulate. IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE
        If they control your health they control YOU

        We need to REMOVE IT from the control substances act

        It has Enormous medicinal value and It is not addictive, it doesn’t have a significant control syndrome and essentially it is not a menace to society

        Instead of looking for something that can cure everything we look for something to block it and thus creating more health issues, more diseases…

        G W Pharmacueticals has 6 green houses in the UK in undisclosed locations and Grows 30 to 60 thousand plants of MARIJUANA per year. It goes thru the same process which is forbidden to regular citizens around the world including our dear little rock’ our nature isle.
        Each green house has 10 000 plants and a different strain which is Approved for sale in Canada
        There is Under the tongue spray (from thc) – because the company felt they would have a hard time getting around the regulators if they smoke it.

        IT MAY STOP OR HELP CURE PROSTATE CANCER

        DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) is Afraid of MARIJUANA
        Nobody wants to be labeled ‘soft of drugs’

        Maybe Obama need to do something… He is doing something for the Gay community and this is far more natural and important and pressing issue.

        It wont happen because the more sick people and because we will always have sick people, we will always have phamacies they support the politicians…

        WAKE UP AND LIVE FAMILY
        TAKE YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS AND MAINTAIN A FUTURE FOR YOUR CHILDREN…

        WAKE UP AND LIVE

  11. me
    May 17, 2012

    now it legal in nuff country now DA want to fight it hard

  12. May 17, 2012

    Legalize it. Tax it. Prosper enough to provide something else for the youths to do. Use the tax money for better schools, more sports, music or training in the trades (plumber, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, brick mason, etc.) Dominica has nothing for teenagers to do, but stand around in the road and either drink or smoke weed or make babies. There is nothing else to do. The youths are bored out of their freaking minds. Marijuanna makes the dullness bearable.

  13. Suga & Spice
    May 17, 2012

    DOMINICA? WAPPEN 2 JAMAICA??

  14. Mr. Jedi
    May 17, 2012

    Congratulations Dominica! http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/medical_marijuana_review.html

    Do some research on this. There are good and bad in all things, but it is proven that marijuana is better for you than tobacco.

    • September 10, 2014

      Neither one is good for you.

      Tobacco is bad in the long run. Marijuana is bad in the short haul.

      Get the April 2014 Journal of Neuroscience and read about the joint research on marijuana done by Northwestern University medical school, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School on marijuana.

      The only people promoting the recreational use of marijuana are the users, those who stand to make money from the trade, or the uninformed.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelists.

  15. Jaming
    May 17, 2012

    Argue if Marijuna is good or bad…I look at where i want to be in 5-10 years….then i add a ‘joint’ to the equation and it brings me no where closer to my goal…if anything it brings me back. So just leave it alone

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ Jaming

      You are an intelligent one; smart enough to recognize the danger of taking it. Marijuana will bring those who take it closer to their death and prematurely.

    • Irie
      May 18, 2012

      Well when I was in university, and de studying and de coursework was starting to get to me, I add a joint to de equation….several times too. I submit de coursework, boss de exams, and graduate with my degree. Marijuana is not for everybody, some people allergic to penicillin, people could be allergic to weed that don’t make it a bad thing.

  16. Mr. Person.
    May 17, 2012

    Everything in Life Is Choice.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ Mr. Person.

      The same choice to choose the path we wish to follow, health or sickness, heaven or hell.

  17. is me tlkin dere
    May 17, 2012

    ||this is lack of proper parenting, and when that happens…da government want to play parent they will continue banning and taking rights away left and right \\ doe let Dominica turn in to other nations u doe see what happening to dem man, thus it will be for us. || de prime have been turning a blind eye and allowiin man to bring weed n etc to the land…the people react, and they ban and take away rights….this all have the same tricks n every nation and n every land don’t fall for it, they create a problem…then give u what seem to be a solution but really its taking away from you. pay attention or dat will be it for ur muda nenen =]

  18. Dave Thomas
    May 17, 2012

    In a country where people need to pick up the pace and become more proactive, a weed that slows you down is the last thing you ganja boys need.

    • KF
      May 17, 2012

      Dave it never slowed me down one bit, BSc microbiology, MSc in genetic ngineering.been smoking since High school.Got a lovely wife and 3 kids,great Job . So what are you talking about?

  19. DRUG'S
    May 17, 2012

    THE MOMENT I SEE YOU SMOKING CANNABIS, U GONNA ASK YOUR SELF DO UI FEEL LUCKY? U GOING UP WITH ME… THE MOMENT I SMELL DRUG’S AM IN THE AREA SO SMOKE YOUR SMOKE THE BADBOY IS AROUND SUPRISE.

    • reality
      May 18, 2012

      SERIOUS clint eastwood/badboys fixation. no wonder dominicans doh like police. watch csi instead an learn someting constructive.lol

  20. Family Guy!
    May 17, 2012

    DNO i heard there was a big drug bust in Petite Soufriere, you all need to look into that story..big story it is..

  21. big mike
    May 17, 2012

    instead allu fight down gay allu what to burn down a plant jah create de almighty burn sodom and gomorrah yet still allu accepting it in the world today you guys say marijauna making people lose there minds thts false because there is a actor, musicians many people u guys look up to smoke weed many people use it and they are more focus than half the people tht dont smoke weed u guys say marijuana distorying life but homosexuals stoping the life cycle free up de weed it hav more important things for de minister to do like telling his goverment create more jobs so less young men will be by the road smoking

  22. ilikepie
    May 17, 2012

    allu watching it form one way!!!! allu not even realized that that is a healtly thing for them. if we in the top for smoking weed den we not even on the list for young people infected with cancer.the only reason people making all that sin about it is the fact that is illegal but any way… “i hear is police that have de strongest on wednesday and all you have to do is ask for officer mike”

    • Jaming
      May 17, 2012

      Healthy thing?is Dominica on the top list of Scholars? IS dominica on the top list that produces brain doctors?

      What other way should i look .
      The boys and young men i pass on the block smoking. Are they the ones managing LIME or managing NBD?

      • HMMM
        May 18, 2012

        Some of you are so small minded. The system has put such a big dark cloud over smoking marijuana people who have high jobs hide to smoke and its a fact. Some of the persons who stand near the street and smoke also have jobs. Some of you love casting judgement on people as if your backyard is clean but only jah can judge me and nowhere in the bible have i ever seen smoking marijuana as a sin so all the adulterers and fornicators and murderers and thieves whether they do it in the light or in the dark cannot stick their nose out at me for smoking marijuana because the last judgement comes from the father and they too shall be judged.

      • ilikepie
        May 18, 2012

        so it must be boys on de block that smoking and thay wasnt even counted……big men in society smoking and taking crack weed is not a problem to me we should worry when talking about the unnatural drugs what is weed ????????? is jus WEED ?

  23. May 17, 2012

    EDUCATE YOURSELF DOMINICIANS. DRUGS KILLS, regardless of how you get them: prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, side walk, corner, or behind the old house. Marijuana, crack, cocaine, cigarettes, X, and the new one K-2. They will make you do things you never thought of doing. You uneducated people better learn from that study and better yet KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CRIME RATE. Moms and Dads take heed and be that POLICE OFFICER IN YOUR HOMES.

    • Dalton Charles
      May 17, 2012

      who marijuana kill nayah, not my uncle, not my grandfather, not my cousins, not me, we smokin our whole damn life

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      If you’ve never smoked how can you say what it will or wont make you do?? I will concede the point that the act smoking of anything releases carcinogens that are harmful, yet making vaporizing or making cannaoil/cannabutter is recommended and prescribed for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and countless other afflictions by trained doctors who can find no harmful side effects? Get your medical degree, and conduct your own studies and experiments before your spout your verbal diarrhea; just perpetuating myths and parroting things you’ve heard

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      do u know oxygen ages and in high concentrations is toxic?? stop breathing.lol

  24. Kal
    May 17, 2012

    It’s ashame to see it the health minister breaking the NEWS. the govt hasn’t done anything to help the young kids. There is no after school programs the cadet programs is losing it’s uesfulness. The londerry youth camp etc. Come on help our young kids.

    • eyeswideshut
      May 17, 2012

      It was indeed a shame to hear Mr. Timothy break the news this morning is such an unprofessional manner. He handled it like such a seasoned politician- divert the attention.
      The point he was hoping to make got out there that POLICE ARE GOIN TO BEGIN TO HARRASS YOUNG PEOPLE FOR MARIJUANA SO THEY BETTER LOOK OUT.
      It is alright for them to drink all the red bull and rum and smoke all the cigeratte they want so long as they do not smoke the herb… DISCRIMMINATION
      They brainwash the people into an unsustainable unproductive begging system and then they come and harrass them and drive then further into depression, crime, etc…
      VICIOUS CYCLE
      The people will always stay poor and destitute and dependent on them
      WAKE UP MY PEOPLE
      No one is saying go around and smoke weed but STOP HARRASSING STOP THE DISCRIMMINATION

      Wake up and LIVE

  25. JUSTICE
    May 17, 2012

    It makes you calmer, that is the truth. When there is not work, not enough money to feed your children and you do not want to kill yourself or others due to desperation, Marijuana is a great alternative. It makes you remember that love is the most important thing in life. It calms the brain.

    • Jaming
      May 17, 2012

      The money u used to buy weed and a wrapped you could buy a bread for your child, or take a bus to town and find work.
      IF you children didnt eat…after u high …they still havent eat! and doesnt smoking weed make you hungry btw?

      • David
        November 12, 2012

        If you grew your own, in your own field, herb wouldn’t cost you anything. Probably 5 or 10 plants would provide a person a year’s supply; and Dominica has good ganja, way better than the hydroponic stuff you get in Canada.

  26. so what
    May 17, 2012

    YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY THATSSSSSSSSSSSSS GOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

  27. aye
    May 17, 2012

    Dominicans… in ignorant set of people… and it’s sad

    • Dominica_Lover
      May 17, 2012

      Correction “is a” Your ignorance is showing.

      • Dominica_Lover
        May 17, 2012

        Dominicans are not is, see I correct myself

  28. khan
    May 17, 2012

    if we higher than Jamaica it’s bad

    • Woodford Hill girl
      May 17, 2012

      Do tell!

  29. frank
    May 17, 2012

    just legalise it . :-D

  30. smart child
    May 17, 2012

    i don’t believe the use of mj is bad. that fact is some people abuse it so therefore it can have harmful effects on the body, so i don’t see the big fuss about if they choose to smoke pot or not, just know that they should be educated more on the use and abuse of weed

  31. Kubuli Kountry
    May 17, 2012

    All you, who dat conduct dat study there nah??? Parry Bellot, man??? :lol: :lol: :lol: Rotflmao!!

  32. dissident
    May 17, 2012

    In de absence of credible scientic info Mr. Timothy u are being very deceptive. If what u say is a proven fact why didn’t u say who did the study and provide the official results. U are misleading the public and playing and preying on their personal emotions, ignorance and political leanings. U are a minister of Health. Bring out the FACTS and INFORMATION of just plain SHUT UP.

    • FABOLOUS
      May 17, 2012

      NICE!!

    • j
      May 17, 2012

      and tell the minister of Health take the cigars, cigarettes and alcohol off the shelves at his stores .ESPECIALLY THE CIGARETTES

  33. My2Sense
    May 17, 2012

    First off, I don’t smoke weed.

    But if the government would stop trying to please Big Brother and have a decent study or consultation done, they just might find that marijuana growth, processing and sales might be one of Dominica’s golden eggs. The bottom line would be tax – much like how cigarettes and alcohol is taxed now.

    I think we might have a bigger problem with alcohol consumption among high school students that we have with marijuana. And as far as I’ve read or seen, the doctors and academics are still debating whether or not one can actually overdose or die from marijuana consumption. Alcohol on the other hand causes serious deterioration in one’s health and is attributed as the cause of death for tens of thousands of death over the years. However, alcohol is legal and here in Dominica, is sold to almost anyone with enough money. So let’s address that!

    Some might even say that The Powers That Be (both here and abroad) would never “kill” the drug trade (including marijuana) because of the kickbacks they’re getting. The drug trade has fuelled the growth of supply companies (arms, ingredients, etc.) and by extension, the economies of those countries.

    Anyway, we need to find a different way to address our social issues. Disappointing performance in school, bullying and abuse at home are only some other reasons why youth gravitate towards illegal drugs. Let’s tackle the root, not the leaf.

    • FABOLOUS
      May 17, 2012

      NICE!

  34. watt la
    May 17, 2012

    Is that the reason why your government built a new jail in Grand Bay to house marijuana smokers? Timothy, why didn’t you all consider enhancing the health center or build a hospital in Grand Bay that would provide services from Belleview to Laplaine? When Grand Bay people fought for independence, supported Cuba and Venezuela, you guys were calling them all kinds of bad names. So, stop talking like a woman and stop the propensity to restrain young people by building jails and build a meaningful, physical or social infrastructure in Grand Bay, see it go through completion and serve it’s purpose.

    • FABOLOUS
      May 17, 2012

      I like that

  35. Eggleston
    May 17, 2012

    The government knows what to do to take care of this marijuana problem. It is a no brainer. The drug has medical uses buts its being abused. Drugs brings crime. Trust me, the government can take care of this, Dominica is a very small island so controlling the drug use should not be an issue. Again, it shows that we have a sleeping government and lazy government. Good job Mr.PM, you got the gold medal made of bull for topping the list. Now take it and go tell investors, “look we top the list”, they should kick you in your !!

  36. Hilroy Alfred J.r
    May 17, 2012

    i guess my first comment was too truthfull and informative DNO removed it…i will post it again.. i would like to leave dominicans in their ignorance but still. it amazes me when so many smart ppl are so daft wen it comes to marijuana. marijuana is not the problem the problem is abuse of it. like any good thing abuse it and it will yeild negative results. ppl die from pharmaceutical overdoses… mankind has been using cannabis medicines much longer than that. Marijuana appears in almost every known book of medicine written by ancient scholars and wise men. It is usually ranked among the top medicines, called `panaceas’, a word which means `cure-all’. The list of diseases which cannabis can be used for includes: multiple sclerosis, cancer treatment, AIDS (and AIDS treatment), glaucoma, depression, epilepsy, migraine headaches, asthma, pruritis, sclerodoma, severe pain, and dystonia. This list does not even consider the other medicines which can be made out of marijuana — these are just some of the illnesses for which people smoke or eat whole marijuana today.

    There are over 60 chemicals in marijuana which may have medical uses. It is relatively easy to extract these into food or beverage, or into some sort of lotion, using butter, fat, oil, or alcohol. One chemical, cannabinol, may be useful to help people who cannot sleep. Another is taken from premature buds and is called cannabidiolic acid. It is a powerful disinfectant. Marijuana dissolved in rubbing alcohol helps people with the skin disease herpes control their sores, and a salve like this was one of the earliest medical uses for cannabis. The leaves were once used in bandages and a relaxing non-psychoactive herbal tea can be made from small cannabis stems.

    The most well known use of marijuana today is to control nausea and vomiting. One of the most important things when treating cancer with chemotherapy or when treating AIDS with AZT or Foscavir, being able to eat well, makes the difference between life or death. Patients have found marijuana to be extremely effective in fighting nausea; in fact so many patients use it for this purpose even though it is illegal that they have formed `buyers clubs’ to help them find a steady supply. In California, some city governments have decided to look the other way and allow these clubs to operate openly.

    Marijuana is also useful for fighting two other very serious and wide-spread disabilities. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, caused by uncontrollable eye pressure. Marijuana can control the eye pressure and keep glaucoma from causing blindness. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks nerve cells. Spasms and many other problems result from this. Marijuana not only helps stop these spasms, but it may also keep multiple sclerosis from getting worse.

    • Hilroy Alfred J.r
      May 17, 2012

      open minded dominicans look at this..don’t worry my ppl give me 15 years i will be the prime minister one day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eJzbY_V3g&feature=related

    • Edward
      May 17, 2012

      I agree my boy. Marijuana is one of the most misunderstood ‘drugs’ in the world, especially the west.

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      couldnt have said it better myself!!! trust me in fifteen years i voting for you straight up!!

  37. ENVY
    May 17, 2012

    WHAT AN, SUBSTITUTE? LOL
    CRACK IS A SUB FOR CIGAR THEN LOL
    PEOPLE NEED TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES BEFORE MAKING AN IDIOT OF THEMSELVES.
    THESE MINISTERS MAKE UP NUMBERS AND STATS THEMSELVES BECAUSE I DIDNT HEAR ABOUT ANY REPORT.
    DUDE IS AN IDIOT THAT’S WHY HE GOT SHUTTLED.
    DOMINICA IS A LOST STATE, WHICH MEANS ONLY VIOLENCE.

  38. Hilroy Alfred J.r
    May 17, 2012

    i rather not comment and leave dominicans in their ignorance wen it come to marijuana . if only they knew the effects of smoking marijuana opposed to tobacco. Smoking marijuana is not the problem. the problem in regards to marijuana is abuse. Like any good thing if it is abused it will yield negative results. ppl die from pharmaceutical over doses. if marijuana is so bad tell the FDA to remove drobbinol from the shelves. A 1997 review of 6059 marijuana-related articles in the medical literature revealed 194 titles on antiemetic properties, 56 on glaucoma, 10 on multiple sclerosis, 23 on appetite, and 11 on palliative or terminal care.Numerous studies have been performed since that time, with most concentrating on the analgesic properties of cannabis and its derivatives. mankind has been using cannabis medicines much longer than that. Marijuana appears in almost every known book of medicine written by ancient scholars and wise men. It is usually ranked among the top medicines, called `panaceas’, a word which means `cure-all’. The list of diseases which cannabis can be used for includes: multiple sclerosis, cancer treatment, AIDS (and AIDS treatment), glaucoma, depression, epilepsy, migraine headaches, asthma, pruritis, sclerodoma, severe pain, and dystonia. This list does not even consider the other medicines which can be made out of marijuana — these are just some of the illnesses for which people smoke or eat whole marijuana today.

    There are over 60 chemicals in marijuana which may have medical uses. It is relatively easy to extract these into food or beverage, or into some sort of lotion, using butter, fat, oil, or alcohol. One chemical, cannabinol, may be useful to help people who cannot sleep. Another is taken from premature buds and is called cannabidiolic acid. It is a powerful disinfectant. Marijuana dissolved in rubbing alcohol helps people with the skin disease herpes control their sores, and a salve like this was one of the earliest medical uses for cannabis. The leaves were once used in bandages and a relaxing non-psychoactive herbal tea can be made from small cannabis stems.

    The most well known use of marijuana today is to control nausea and vomiting. One of the most important things when treating cancer with chemotherapy or when treating AIDS with AZT or Foscavir, being able to eat well, makes the difference between life or death. Patients have found marijuana to be extremely effective in fighting nausea; Marijuana is also useful for fighting two other very serious and wide-spread disabilities. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, caused by uncontrollable eye pressure. Marijuana can control the eye pressure and keep glaucoma from causing blindness. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks nerve cells. Spasms and many other problems result from this. Marijuana not only helps stop these spasms, but it may also keep multiple sclerosis from getting worse.

    MOST OF ALL IT INHIBITS THE GROWTH OF TUMORS. thats just a tip of the ice berg. open minded ppl please watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eJzbY_V3g&feature=related

  39. Robin
    May 17, 2012

    They’ve allow tobacco with dangerous and toxic substances to be sold legally in stores across the country yet dry marijuana smoked directly from the plant is some form of abomination. Thw governments of the world practice Hypocrisy or maybe they have an ulterior motive?

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      Ulterior motive is right, they all basically have bowed to US pressure to conform to their drug laws and those only came about to protect their own selfish interest(protect their lumber industry as hemp fiber makes numerous products, fabric, paper, animal feed, etc…). The demonizing and persistent myths about cannabis is a direct result of this and their Reefer Madness propaganda, you got to watch the watch the movie just to see how ludicrous the claims made are

      • reality
        May 17, 2012

        not to mention that their citizens can purchase “medical marijuana” while we are taking their artificial drugs. dominica police force is one of the most brainwashed institutions with their imported american camouflage and m-16 trying to kill their people when white man buying weed legal in their country.lol

  40. Arab
    May 17, 2012

    The positive of that study is that it backs up what i said a year ago. A year ago there was an article saying that Dominican teens ranks highest in Drug use and my reply was NOT drugs in general but WEED. Shows that there is better room for improvement.

  41. Anonymous
    May 17, 2012

    I believe that

  42. Dominican in VINCY
    May 17, 2012

    Are they serious? I wonder who did that survey, if any was done at all. Had this person personally visited St.Vincent? Really? Dominica youth do what!!!???? They need to go to St. Vincent to know what the youth is doing here. As far as my eyes can see, even before you can consider them a youth, they are already smoking ganja. They even carry the dam thing to school. St. Vincent probably has the highest number NOT percentage, of persons suffering with asthma. They must try to figure out why. The environment is polluted with marijuana smoke day and night. Any function, wedding, funeral an ordinary party has more dam marijuana smoke than food or drink. They better come again with their top list.

  43. Dalton Charles
    May 17, 2012

    less cocaine more marijuana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dah u hear wi mr. minister

  44. May 17, 2012

    70% of high school students have used marijuana.20% are chronic smokers and smoke before they go to school.50% are casual smokers.20% are recreational smokers. 5% 0f high school girls smoke marijuana. DOMINICANS ARE SUFFERING FROM A SERIOUS DRUG PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORST EVERYDAY. And that nonsense talk that the drug or herb is the healing of the nation is a big lie from the bottomless pit of hell.SATAN IS INFACT IN THE MARIJUANA SMOKE.I HAVE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES.

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      Religious fanatics like you who have had no experience or facts about the drug and come out and condemn it are doing more bad than good to your cause. if you have an opinion, argument or point to make back it with info or facts; unsubstantiated claims do nothing but kill your credibility, how can y’all expect young educated individuals like myself to take you seriously otherwise

      • RasCornBread767
        May 17, 2012

        Hahahah, I would bet my bottom dollar my comment got that thumbs down strictly because of the words religious fanatics, lol, probably from the same people who think their superior to anyone who doesn’t share their own beliefs and faith; I’m a god fearing catholic myself but truth hurts doesn’t it lmao

    • Anonymous
      May 17, 2012

      come out there with your nonesense…….you sound like you well high too.

    • HMMM
      May 17, 2012

      :lol: that one cracked me up!! You saw satan in marijuana smoke…. I can make o’s with mines we padna lol…

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      i need some of what u was smoking wi pal cause dat must be d highest grade for u to have such a hallucination.lol

    • Dreamer
      May 18, 2012

      Tell us more about your encounter with satan ! interesting !

  45. CASAC
    May 17, 2012

    YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO “FIT IN” SO THEY WILL DO ANYTHING, WHICH I HOPE NOT. MARIJUANA/CANNABIS WILL MAKE YOU HALLUCINATE, DELUSIONAL,DISORIENTED, LOSS OF MEMORY AND SO MUCH MORE WHILE UNDER THE INFLURNCE. SHE WILL MAKE YOU STEAL FROM YOUR MOTHER THAT YOU LOVE SOOOO MUCH, TURN YOU INTO A FOOL. YOU WILL PANIC, WILL TRUST NO ONE AND SUFFER FROM ANXIETY IF YOU CONTINUE TO SMOKE TO THE WEED OF WISDOM OH “NO THE WEED OF DISTRUCTION”.

  46. Meeee
    May 17, 2012

    I really cannot understand the people who mention Jamaica and Gwada…lol….if the study is true, Dominica tops the list per capita. SMH

    All you people really simple minded papa.

    • Dominican Abroad
      May 17, 2012

      Finally, someone on there got it! Thanks for sharing my sentiments.

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      Unfortunately 90% percent of people who frequent this page have no idea what per capita means. And yeah that stat was made up on the spot, like most others that are quoted without a source

  47. amethyst
    May 17, 2012

    I knew two guys who used to smoke weed a lot.One used to ACE in school;very bright kid;The other was like any ordinary kid.When I went home two years ago,the one who used to ace in school was literally stinking piss and.The other one had no respect whatsoever for no one.Other folks told me “si ou pah lay garcon sa la fer’ou hont,stay far away from him”.The community folks said “weed just destroy them guys” both in early 30’s.
    SO while abusing cigarettes can lead to lung disease,abusing weed can lead one to losing his mind.

    • Dalton Charles
      May 17, 2012

      amethyst mind people with your ignorance, because u know two paro dat smokin weed, that means everyone who smokes weed is bad, even worse, is d weed fault ur padnas smellin and ignorant, i doubt it, u doe no wat happen in dem man life, sto talkin bout wa u doe no, u doe no weed

      • Me
        May 17, 2012

        I agree with Dalton Charles…alot of those young boys drink rum too like it going out of style or they mix all kinds of shit with the weed and that’s when problems errupt. Some is just pure obyeah people do them all u can say what all u want…however like with anything in life….too much of a thing is not good and it may be that smoking isn’t something your body can tolerate. Just like I can eat peanut but to another it’s a killer…One last thing I’m sorry but Timothy talking out of his ass…how did they conduct their research? They went to each young boy in D.A and ask u smoking weed ner? Stupes…Some people always there to press D.A and the young people… yet still those in authority do a all to create better options for them.

      • $4
        May 17, 2012

        every paro i know started with weed

    • Robin
      May 17, 2012

      The guys you talking about moved on to dangerous additions to their marijuana use. People add all kinds of other substances to get a greater high. I can counter you with my cousins who all smoked real pure weed throughout 3 rd form and university and they all gainfully employed at an engineering firm, info tech company and a risk management firm. All products of real weed not the counterfeit!

      • wiser than
        May 17, 2012

        robin ur a fool and knw nothing about wat u speak.

      • RasCornBread767
        May 17, 2012

        “Professing themselves to be wise they proved themselves to be fools”, Robin ignore wiser than, you can’t help the willfully ignorant. And $4 we both know that’s bull, they started with alcohol and regardless that proves nothing. Anyone who is willing to experiment with any illegal drug is obviously predisposed to trying another. Also logic and common sense dictates that they would start with a more accepted, easily obtained and “softer” drug rather than hard drugs like crack/cocaine; like all things in life you crawl before you walk. Studies have shown that marijuana addiction is purely psychological not physiological, weak minded fools shouldn’t be messing with any drugs, period; they tend to try to escape their problems via drugs rather than facing them. For whatever reason crawling wasn’t enough, they had to fly too, but it wasn’t a result of marijuana consumption it was caused by whatever drove them to use drugs in the first place

    • Hilroy Alfred J.r
      May 17, 2012

      A sprang is not weed ..don’t be foolish …u can’t blame marijuana for a man loosing his head for being an irresponsible smoker and smoking a sprang

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      Hahaha; top in herb consumption, bottom in tobacco, that’s how it should be. Hate that the most ignorant people who know nothing about it make the most outlandish claims; “marijuana related injuries sending someone to the psych ward”, complete bullshit, there is no scientific study proving this. And I’m positive the individuals are almost guaranteed to have a history of mental illness in their family and consume more than just cannabis. Compared to the countless studies that show it’s medicinal properties and proves that any addiction is strictly psychological (weak minded individuals) this is just more Reefer Madness propaganda (if you haven’t seen this movie you need to, see where the brainwashing began) I smoke daily, read while I do so and still manage to Ace all my classes, don’t compare crack heads and paro’s to regular smokers. Do your research, try reading instead of just repeating something you heard someone who is obviously biased say. The uninformed can be educated but the willingly ignorant are lost…

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      de amount of man dat never smoke and mad. woman make more man mad dan weed already so start to kill dem na.lol

  48. Anonymous
    May 17, 2012

    Mr. Tim can you give us details on that study please?

    AND GO AND CLEAN UP ALL THE PARROWS THAT ON ST. JOHNSTON’S AVENUE THAT DOING THEIR COCAINE AND CRACK LIVE WHILE THEY WASHING BUSES…….YOU IN THE AREA EVERYDAY SO YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT

  49. Dreamer
    May 17, 2012

    I have never understood why Marijuana was so badly considered. How can the states let alcool and medicine abuse legal, and still ban Marijuana ?
    Let’s face it clear. Marijuana has never killed anybody.
    Make it legal, and you will immediately see:
    – a substantial decrease in use from the youth
    – A substantial revenue for the country and the farmers,
    – A huge tourism potential to attract people from all over the world, as was sometimes ago in the Netherlands.

    I know most of you will not find this statement politically correct, but if you think seriously about the pros and cons, you will measure the potential.

    As soon as you allow for alcools, cigarettes and heavy medication use, it is a nonsense to ban Marijuana.

    Oh, our “big neighbours” will not like it ? Well there are many other things they do not like , and once you measure the potential for the country, you might consider this differently.

    P.S. I do not smoke Marijuana.

    • Anonymous
      May 17, 2012

      If you were next to me i would kiss your bif toe :lol: …. my sentiments exactly!

    • Dalton Charles
      May 17, 2012

      boy you talking to a wall, u doe think dem man doe no, if every marijuana smoker can grow his own weed because it no longer illegal, it will have a substantial decrease in drug related crimes, and crime on a whole, it has been proven over and over, tobacco kills, marijuana heals, yet we selling our people cigarettes.

    • ron rainbow
      May 17, 2012

      well said! back in the day the biggest illegal commodity on the market was alcohol until licence were issued.

  50. gwada chick
    May 17, 2012

    That is so not true . If Dominica top the list , wher you will put Guadeloupe and Jamaica. check that out again mister timothy.

    • susan
      May 17, 2012

      The Studies is right I just visited and saw it myself, all this young kid on the river wall smoking.

    • #imjustsaying#
      May 17, 2012

      Why mentioned the two places you are mentioning? that is very stereotypical! because you think of Jamaica, Bob Marley, Rastafarianism, you automatically believe that Jamaica should top the charts for marijuana smokers..smmh… small minded

  51. Irie
    May 17, 2012

    So Timothy, when them young boys reach psychiatric all you expect them to tell all you what they really take? Them fellas getting spranger, that is marijuana laced with crack and coke, dat is what frying their brain….all yuh not doing no toxicology test how all you know if is not paracetamol, advil, phensic, semeh contwah or de big Cs that mess dem up? Come with your scientific evidence to back up your claims eh….meanwhile let me treat my asthma and my chack in peace.

    • Me
      May 17, 2012

      RIGHT ON POINT….LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR COMMENT LMAO

  52. Madamzafeh
    May 17, 2012

    Shame on u mr timothy… U have d guts to quot study an not initiate programs to solve and help erradicate the problem…there are people out ther who r ready and willing to helpn how alu expectvthem to do better when ther are no other avenues to channel that energy..even in ur ministry nurses have to wait till they 21 to getnregestered an apply for job when they finish school at an early age wat else is ther for them to do instead u come to your constuency and fix the roads an make drains u sitting ur rear end on ur office chair an quote study that u know will bring down the country…

    • RE MadamZafeh
      May 17, 2012

      you are being ridiculous in your comment. In order to initiate programs to help alleviate the “problem,” a study must be should be done to prove/justify the need for the said programs. So when you say “U have d guts to quot study an not initiate programs to solve and help erradicate the problem,” realise that the first step to dealing with a problem is knowledge of the said problem. Who it affects? (Age group, sex etc) How does it affect them? why? etc. etc.
      So don’t be so quick to make a comment before you sit and think of what you are saying.

  53. Ganja smoke
    May 17, 2012

    That’s a good thing. It means that our teens do not indulge in cancer sticks. Herbs are the healing of the nation. Smoke on my brothers.

    • D.on't no
      May 17, 2012

      question;

      ———–“WHO TOP LIST” :?:
      —- ” the country in the world who has the biggest ——-cannabis field ” :?:

  54. A Voice
    May 17, 2012

    Yes, yes, yes! I never seen such hypocracy from a Minister/Merchant in Dominica so yet. I might be mistaken but I thought this had to do with World Tobacco Day or something to that order. Marijuana is already illegal, it is already banned. Why not focus on the consumption of cigarette?

    This is not personal nor political you know. “Timothy says efforts are being made to get more Dominicans to stop smoking cigarettes.” Why doesn’t he start by stop selling it in his supermarket? Pure double standards and conflict of interest.

    If cigarette smoking is so bad and dangerous for one’s health, why then not just ban it? Why ban it in public places and then force people to smoke behind closed doors where it will be more concentrated in the air where youths and infants are?

    Boy when it comes to people’s health vs money, money wins everytime and this is no difference here. Marijuana has so many medicinal properties why don’t the world corporate powers invest more in it for the welfare of the populace? The answer is MONEY. There is economical interests in keeping people sick. Sick people maintain a whole billion dollar industry, healthy people do not.

    So if you guys want to come to the public with new legislation, come with clean open hands and good conscience. Marijuana already so attacked and maligned you guys want to add new legislation again?

    There is no health justification for the legal consumption of cigarettes…

    I watchin’ still!!!

    • susan
      May 17, 2012

      Marijuana is the gateway to harder drugs, it is fact period,

      • RasCornBread767
        May 17, 2012

        And you came upon this fact where? Personal experience or your infinite wisdom? Lemme guess you’ve heard it said before, have you ever smoked? how many smokers do you know? And when I say know i mean actually have a relationship with, speak to and not just watch from a distance and gossip about. You make the mistake of judging the entire group by the individuals who set the worst examples. I can guarantee there is someone you know who is a respected public/neighborhood figure who smokes

      • reality
        May 17, 2012

        was waiting for this gateway crap. alcohol is the number one gateway drug most people lose all inhibitions under alcohol and are willing to try anything.

  55. Country Man
    May 17, 2012

    Weed is not new on the scene in Dominica. It has been consumed by Dominicans for generations. How does the minister and his medical advisors/staff come to the conclusion that all of a sudden the rise in mental health cases is associated solely to weed. How did they arrive at this conclusion? Show us how this survey was done.

    • no secret
      May 17, 2012

      7 years ago, i worked at PMH, and it was the exact same cry at the Acute Psychiatric Unit. Majority of the young men there consumed alot of marijuana or some other drug, but mostly marijuana – the common denominator. So it’s an apparent trend that warranted a study.

      • RasCornBread767
        May 17, 2012

        When easily 6 out of 10 people in the island smoke it’s not to difficult to understand why it’d be a common trend if 2 of the remaining 6 end up in the psych ward. It’s widely prevalent throughout the population period so any percentage of it that does seek psych help is highly likely to contain smokers. If marijuana consumption was the deciding factor and not pre-existing conditions/predispositions there should be a much larger influx of psych patients. Simple logic

  56. 1979
    May 17, 2012

    YYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNN

    oh while we talking about that, I see some young fellas sniffing the white stuff LIVE on the city streets, and guess what!! the young patrolling officers were TOO afraid to do anything about it, i guess they know how that white powder makes those young guys CRAZYYYYYYYYYYYYY…

    • 1979
      May 17, 2012

      while we keep talking out of our other end about the green stuff, the white monster infiltrates, and guess what, our sons and daughters can be using it right there in their room at home, and we may never know. because it has NO SCENT….. keep playing smart by playing dumb people.

  57. just looking
    May 17, 2012

    well is whiskey i drinking

  58. Revolutionary
    May 17, 2012

    I have been conducting basic research on Marijuana use for a few years now, and it is safe to say that I have never come across any Marijuana related health problem in my research. Apart from occasional SHORT TERM memory loss(every thing has a side effect), modern research shows that marijuana is pretty much harmless to the body. If Marijuana is so harmful or makes you go crazy like Mr. Timothy is trying to imply, then why would it be used as medication(eg. to boost the appetite of cancer patients,to alleviate pain, to ease anxiety etc) in the US and elsewhere? Marijuana was actually listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942 and was prescribed for various conditions including labor pains, nausea and rheumatism. The great Chinese emperor Shen Neng touted marijuana tea as a treatment for malaria and gout. Modern research also shows that Marijuana use also strengthens lung capacity through the deep inhalation. Therefore, Mr. Timothy it seems like your so called experts need some expert advice. Globally, We need to focus more on cutting down the use of over the counter and prescription medication which come with various dangerous side effects than the use of NATURAL herbal medications such as Cannabis.

    • @WELL
      May 17, 2012

      @Revolutionary I’m so in agreement with you. i suffer from terrible menstrual cramps and there are times I have to stay away from work and daily activity. All prescription drugs I was given didn’t work. I met a herbalist who gave me to try two herbs to make a hot tea and the MJ work like magic every time. I have not missed work for the past six months and whenever that time is coming around I drink my tea twice before and during my cycle and I’m good to go. Mr. Health Minister did you know that 90% of prescription drugs – those ‘LEGAL’ ones have a percentage of cocaine in there? MJ growing wild like a mango tree.

  59. May 17, 2012

    hmm boy i am not going to say what is or what is not,because it is what it is.
    i just think one have to know what is good for one by trying to understand oneself.
    most of all anything that is use in excess at any onetime have damaging effect to the body.
    the saying goes;everybody does something, that is ilegal or not good for them at some time.
    but the way people in dominica drink rum, they cannot smoke weed like that ,and that’s what the young people doing, that is why you have so many confused youth,weed in moderation gives one a good meditation,rum drinking is to drown your sorrows, give you false courage and sometime get you enrage; choose your poison.

  60. Joint Chief of Staff
    May 17, 2012

    As the Joint Chief of staff I would like a copy of the said “study”. Mr Timothy has not provided a reference nor a link to the said study.

    • May 17, 2012

      The document should be posted on the government website, so that we can have access to read it as the do in some countries,

      However i do not believe that Dominican youth top the list this is bull

  61. God JOb
    May 17, 2012

    I am not disputing the fact that the youth have an issue with substance abuse, but if you are quoting from an article at least give the name of whoever conducted this study so we could check it out for ourselves. I mean we not stupid to just take everything we get and run with it.

  62. Fairplay
    May 17, 2012

    So Dominicans smoke more Ganga than Jamaicans???!!! :?:

    • Dominican Abroad
      May 17, 2012

      I wonder if you and the 11 people thus far who liked your status took into consideration the population between the two countries, 75,000
      Dominica vs millions Jamaica? (per capita) Food for thought.

  63. mari-smoker
    May 17, 2012

    dnt blame evrything on marijuana cause wat allu gotta be checking allu aint seein da…lots of the youth finish high school and after that wat are we gonna do ah?
    there is no jobs and recreational to take part in for you too put institutions in place for these kind of things yu spread it and do nothing…
    Bring back JSP-Junior Secondary Program, should have never take it out in the first place.
    None of allu talks bout cocaine though its always the marijuana the plant that grows from the earth naturally that gives the problem…cocaine is used like its water buh is marijuana…shame on you Mr Timothy

  64. May 17, 2012

    WHY ARE YOU ALL POLITICIAN SO HYPOCRITE? GOV’T IS TRYING TO MAKE DOMINICANS SMOKE LESS AND A FURTHER STEP STOP SMOKING IN PUBLIC…WELL THEY WILL TAKE IT TO THEIR HOMES AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT CHILDREN WILL INHALE MORE SMOKE AND NOW AND THEN PUT THERE HOMES ON FIRE….
    WHY CAN’T GOV’T STOP THE IMPORT OF CIGARETTES TOTALLY AND LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT IT IS PROHIBITED? NO! THEY WILL NOT BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO SELLS CIGARETTE PAYS MORE TAXES TO GOV’T THAN THEY KEEP FOR THEMSELVES…END OF STORY

  65. Faceup
    May 17, 2012

    This is what you call, noncense is not even the word, has he been to Jamaica or even Gaudeloupe.

    • susan
      May 17, 2012

      Dominicans are in denial, please take heed to what the studies said.

  66. Zeb lay
    May 17, 2012

    So why they not making a survey in d prisons an see how many young men there for violent acts because they under d influence of weed or who there because day was so drunk..how many ppl wakes up in d morning after smoking weed at nyte an regret..

  67. Ganja Farmer
    May 17, 2012

    These people have no idea what they doing. So now they want people to smoke in closed areas? Ok, while you at it Mr. Minister, let’s ban drinking all beers, alcohol in public too. Just come out and officially say we are now a full communist country and we have no rights.

    The Minister later told one local radio station that his health experts were telling him that the majority of young men treated at the island’s Psychiatric Unit have gone there because of marijuana-related health problems…. what a load of crap. You guys know well that you are under pressure and you will come up with all types of un- truths to install fear in people but we are determine and we the users know well that the majority of Marijuana users DO NOT have mental health issues.

    Full up stock farm and know that you guys have started the revolution because if you CANNOT legalize nor Decriminalize Herb or have an open discussion about it, we will make sure that you are out of Government for good.

    Focus on rehabilitation centers and policies and programs for the youths that are really in need of it….those that are addicted on hard, illegal drugs (CRACK, COCAINE) that cause the real social issues. Concentrate on creating avenues for the youths to work, enjoy life in a productive manner and to continue contributing to the holistic development of the Nature Island.

    Mr. Minister, how many of your “so called Health experts” ever blaze up a good local Herb? You guys are just pure hypocrites and think that users of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Dominica are plain stupid. I mean, WTF are these guys really saying. Man, if you are truly concern about the youths and the people of Dominica in general, if you are concern about your political carrier, get off your high horses and get consultation started with draft documentation on the legalization of Herb…… you were placed here for the people by the people, don’t forget that.
    We have so many real criminal issues facing us daily and this is the best that you guys can do, placing all our hard earn tax dollars to fight the local man for a joint, for a natural plant while you got murders and crime pushers roaming our streets, installing fear in locals and foreigners and you all want to take off the spec in your eyes by placing more fear in the youths with this “report”.
    We have rights too, and our vote is as important as all other votes. We demand National Consultation on this issue and our voices will be heard Mr. Timothy. We are in every sector, working hard to make our country move forward and still not enjoying the luxurious life like some of you Ministers do but yet you want to take away our Joy and free up. Men get real with this entire BS. This is a real issue and sooner or later, you guys will understand that the population of Marijuana users is steadily growing in every sector and you Mr. Minster CANNOT stop it. Remember this…..

    Free – up the Herb and all those that were wrongfully incarcerated for using it.

    • eyeswideshut
      May 18, 2012

      Yes Rasta!

  68. Woodford Hill girl
    May 17, 2012

    To all those who think marijuana is harmless, I will have you know that it is the gateway to harder drugs like crack and cocaine,the weed smokers get to a point where that does not do it for them anymore so they move on to the deadlier drugs.#justsaying law enforcement do your thing!!

    • RasCornBread767
      May 17, 2012

      I smoke daily, and have been doing so for years and have never felt the urge to do, try, or experiment with any other drugs. You can only last about a week without water but too much will kill you (water intoxication). Too much of anything is bad for you, there is a BIG difference between use and abuse. You are just repeating something you heard like a well trained parrot.

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      lol lol lol. how much rasta smoking still 1970 and it still doing it for dem? get real an trus me you not from d ghetto na

  69. May 17, 2012

    IF GOV’T LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND ASK THE PUBLIC TO PAY TAXES I AM A 100% SURE THAT THIS VERY SAME GOV’T WILL SAY POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT IT. NONE THE LESS I AM AGAINST ANY TYPE OF SMOKE THAT SOMEONE WILL INHALE DELIBERATELY ..TO ME IT IS NOT GOOD AT ALL.THE ABOVE MINISTER WHO SAYS THAT DOMINICANS BOYS SMOKE THE MOST IN THE CARIBBEAN I AM SURE THAT HE NEVER SPENT ONE ENTIRE DAY IN A VILLAGE SO HIS MAIN POINT IS TO BRING DOWN YOUNG MEN IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES A PART FROM CIVIL SERVANTS MAKES THE MOST MONEY FROM THE GANJA TRADE…NOW THE PEOPLE WHO THINKS THAT ONLY THE BOYS WHO SITS ON THE ROAD SIDE SMOKES ,LISTEN YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE…THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOL TEACHERS AND BANK WORKERS THAT MAKE IT A PLEASURE TO SMOKE GANJA BEFORE AND AFTER WORK …THEY ARE MY FRIENDS…RUM IS ANOTHER DEADLY POISON IN OUR SOCIETY ;I KNOW A SCHOOL HEAD MASTER
    WHO IS AN ALCOHOLIC WHILE HER HUSBAND IS A GANJA CHIMNEY .SHOP KEEPERS WHO SELLS ALCOHOL ,SELLS TO ANY ONE NO MATTER HOW OLD THEY ARE ;IN OTHER WORDS BY SELLING ALCOHOL GOV’T GETS TAXES FOR THEM IT IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT I AM CERTAIN THAT IT IS THE BIGGEST DANGER FOR THE COUNTRY…

  70. yow
    May 17, 2012

    thumbs up if you smoke weed or ever tried it :-P

  71. wiser than
    May 17, 2012

    stop lie on marijuana. marijuana can’t be the reason for those young psychiatric patients. i see no mention of cocaine in this article. and mr. minister u should be happy that tobacco use is low and marijuana high. maybe the young kids should not be smoking tackle that problem (high school students smoking in uniforms by road.) decriminalize the marijuana so i can smoke in peace and not fear. what about alcohol use by youth in dominica. how many alcohol have in psychiatric and have killed…

  72. really?
    May 17, 2012

    well if Dominica dont really have a population and they top of the list lol lol everybody in Dominica smoking then? hmmmmmm i wonder if i does do that in my sleep because i never take a smoke yet ……….AA check that poll again papa

  73. The Realist
    May 17, 2012

    I have been conducting basic research on Marijuana use for a few years now, and it is safe to say that I have never come across any Marijuana related health problem in my research. Apart from occasional SHORT TERM memory loss(every thing has a side effect), modern research shows that marijuana is pretty much harmless to the body. If Marijuana is so harmful or makes you go crazy like Mr. Timothy is trying to imply, then why would it be used as medication(eg. to boost the appetite of cancer patients,to alleviate pain, to ease anxiety etc) in the US and elsewhere? Marijuana was actually listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942 and was prescribed for various conditions including labor pains, nausea and rheumatism. The great Chinese emperor Shen Neng touted marijuana tea as a treatment for malaria and gout. Modern research also shows that Marijuana use also strengthens lung capacity through the deep inhalation. Therefore, Mr. Timothy it seems like your so called experts need some expert advice. Globally, We need to focus more on cutting down the use of over the counter and prescription medication which come with various dangerous side effects than the use of NATURAL herbal medications such as Cannabis.

    • HMMM
      May 17, 2012

      Amen!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself.

  74. young smoker
    May 17, 2012

    marijuana is not a problem…. I know marijuana may affect your thinking but is de fear of police catchin you smoking dat does work on de brain …. If we legalise it to a certain extent we will definitly see a reduction in de mental cases.. Further more there isn’t enuff recreational activities available and i doesn’t always have to be all about sports.. We like to do art make music use computers.

    • Me!
      May 17, 2012

      DUMB

    • wiser than
      May 17, 2012

      u see those idiots hating on the comment. they can’t read and they can’t understand.

  75. wise
    May 17, 2012

    no one is responsible for your own happiness or health situation but you. please make wise life choices and decisions. smoking kills.

  76. african queen
    May 17, 2012

    well very sad news i visit my home and walking in the village i saw young boys lighting up at the side of the road,they looking really terrible i hope that the parents and police take a stand to reduce.lord help how young ones.

  77. AlluTooFast
    May 17, 2012

    Allu always know if dominica doing this and dat. all need to stop bring down the country. instead of saying all the positive things youth doing you QUOTING all the bad….

    … R3@lT@LK

  78. mmmm
    May 17, 2012

    so life goes on its the healing to the nation

  79. Anonymous
    May 17, 2012

    It’s not the weed that have them young guys psychiatric unit it’s the crack and cocaine

    • Me!
      May 17, 2012

      one leads to the other

      • 1979
        May 19, 2012

        can u substantiate that??

    • 1979
      May 17, 2012

      yup u darn right!!!

    • zee
      May 17, 2012

      So true!! They mix the weed with crack and cocaine and smoke it!!!

  80. dominican
    May 17, 2012

    lol lol it even kind of funny not surprised at all the police need to get up thier lazy behinds in the police stations and start patrolling the roads more cause these boys smoke like marijuana is legal

  81. Anonymous
    May 17, 2012

    ahh why u got to be so :(

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