EDITOR, The Tribune

THE Cannabis conversation we are having right now in The Bahamas is all about control.

Cannabis was grown widely throughout the United States until the 1930’s, when the decision was made by private business entities that it was a threat to the bottom line of the oil, nylon, wheat, cotton, paper/wood, and pharmaceutical industries, just to name a few. After all, anyone and everyone at that point in time could grow Cannabis and sustainably live outside of the centrally established system of economic control.

Harry Anslinger was appointed to beat the drums of racial mistrust in the US to gain support for the resulting anti-Cannabis campaign and once that effort was successful he then took the fight to the UN.

Being the world superpower that it is, the US influenced the UN to adopt the Schedule I listing of Cannabis, Without any scientific reasoning for or proof of Cannabis’ alleged “danger” to society. (Proof that we somehow now require to get it off that listing).

Meanwhile, the propaganda of anti-Cannabis campaigns over the next decades clearly confused the populations of the world and set up a system where the national participants pledge their loyalty to protect and reinforce the very parts of the system that prevent them from thriving.

The result was that trillions of dollars have been made from the separate industries created from prohibition of Cannabis since the 30’s. What is interesting though is that the US right now is poised to federally legalise Cannabis to protect their interests. After all, the Cannabis economy has begun and if they don’t federally legalise the “petrodollar” will plummet in perceived value like a rock. (Anything oil can do, Hemp can do better, sustainably and without harming the environment).

This is just a snapshot of what is happening in the global background behind this Cannabis conversation. There is a whole lot more.

Now, here we are in these times, in this region, making motions to reverse the self-serving decisions made against a plant which it is so powerful in its versatility that it singlehandedly represents economic freedom, stability, and sustainability.

Meanwhile, those presently in power globally already have started rallying around and are making billions privately. All while we small island states continue to talk about what we perhaps could do.

There is no way that regional government bodies are so fragmented or disassociated that we collectively could not have figured out by now that we can dominate the global Cannabis Industry.

We have the unique situation of being island states. We are the ones who will face the brunt of climate change. We now have a resource in Cannabis that can truly unite our energies and reinforce our economies, effectively making this region (and all small island states for that matter) self-sustainable.

Yes. It is feasible. Self-Sustainability.

It is sad that most small island governments are extremely hesitant as to whether they should decriminalise Cannabis, all while simultaneously pretending to not be aware that the plant genus can feed, clothe, shelter, medicate, and provide energy for our people.

Our People

We claim to love our own, but the way our governments treat us sometimes leaves much to be desired. But I digress...

Again, this Cannabis conversation is a global one about control. Watch the G20 summit closely. Trust that they will be discussing behind closed doors how to manage the upcoming Cannabis economy and maintain their economic dominance. (One that they wave in front of all of our faces whenever they have these summits).

My opinion on what we should do? Decriminalise completely from a small island state perspective and work the resulting industries intelligently and strategically. This conversation is way beyond persons smoking a joint or two. This is about power on a global level.

In unity there is strength and right now we definitely need both.

To borrow a phrase from a young man (Mdeez Knight) who has recently departed this life: Less talk, more action.

YORICK BROWN

Nassau

June 28, 2019