PNP NEC BACKS PATTERSON'S CALL FOR GANJA DEBATE

THE National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling People's National Party
(PNP) has endorsed the proposal by party president, Prime Master P J
Patterson for a national debate on whether or not to decriminalise the use
of ganja.

At a meeting of the NEC in Ocho Rios Sunday, Patterson said there were
several implications inherent in the recent report of the National Ganja
Commission which was set up to study the issue. These implications, he
said, required full discussion and careful evaluation.

He noted that the commission had recommended decriminalisation for personal
use in private places, religious sacraments and defined medicinal purposes,
but that issues of lawful access would need to be further explored.

The prime minister added that the commission's report had itself identified
the need for diplomatic efforts to be pursued in order to avoid
international repercussions.

The NEC, according to a statement from the PNP, has endorsed the
commencement of the parliamentary process in which the matter will be put
as a resolution before the House of Representatives and the Senate for full
debate.

The statement said Patterson stressed that the parliamentary debate would
be free, without the party whip being applied or any specific positions
taken beforehand.

The matter is also to debated within the party's organs including the youth
organisation, women's movement, regional executives and constituency
organisations.

A paper outlining the international implications should ganja be
decriminalised for personal uses is to be prepared by the party's legal
adviser, A J Nicholson, the attorney general.