SOVEREIGNTY AND MARIJUANA

THE EDITOR, Sir:

YOUR paper has published several articles on the issue of Jamaica
decriminalising marijuana for personal use.

Mentioned is the fact that doing so would violate United Nations
treaties. However, there is a way for Jamaica to assert its
sovereignty without breaking any treaties.

The UNDCP World Drug Report (Oxford University Press) says: "...[none
of the] three international drug Conventions insist on the
establishment of drug consumption per se as a punishable offence.
Only the 1988 Convention clearly requires parties to establish as
criminal offences under law the possession, purchase or cultivation
of controlled drugs for the purpose of non-medical, personal
consumption, unless to do so would be contrary to the constitutional
principles and basic concepts of their legal systems."

So if Jamaica legalises or decriminalises marijuana and/or proclaims
the prohibition of marijuana unconstitutional the new law becomes a
basic concept of your legal system and Jamaica would not be in
violation of any treaties.

I am, etc.,

RICHARD W. JONES

Jackson, MS, USA