As CARICOM begins preliminary discussions over the use of marijuana for medical purposes, two local doctors have cast doubt on the need for legalizing medical marijuana in this country.
Last month, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said the government will study the matter after a CARICOM meeting which is now taking place.
Dr. Duane Sands, a cardiothoracic surgeon, said he doubts there is a local demand for medical marijuana.
However, Sands said the government should use this time to move toward decriminalizing possession of small quantities of marijuana.
"The wave of the end of marijuana prohibition has started and certainly the words coming out of the mouth of the president of the United States gives an idea that at least as far as marijuana is concerned we are going to watch the radical change in policy," Sands told The Nassau Guardian.
"So the fact that you now have CARICOM countries talking about medical marijuana is only the first step.
"Quite frankly, I don't think that medical marijuana, in terms of my personal opinion, that there is a huge demand for it, but it opens the door for the debate and it becomes a very important debate.
"Perhaps the more pressing debate is the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana and the impact [that has] particularly on young people.
Sands added: "I personally don't believe that marijuana use as a medical tool is a big deal in The Bahamas. There may be a small number of people [who] have an interest in it, but certainly I can't speak to any number of my patients [who] have requested marijuana for medical use."
Sands said the government should listen to the opinions of local physicians on the issue before making any decision.
"I don't think we can afford to not engage in the conversation," he said.
Dr. John Lunn, an oncologist, told The Nassau Guardian that legalizing marijuana for medicinal use would likely lead to a rise in the drug being used recreationally.
"I am just a little careful [about the issue] because most people when they talk about medical marijuana, they want it for recreational use," Lunn said.
"We don't grow Indian hemp, we don't [make] heroin, which is used for pain relief in cancer. Drugs like morphine, these drugs are used for pain relief in cancer but they are highly restricted.
"Once it's decriminalized you clearly get access to it easily and that's what the main objective is."
Last year, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said The Bahamas is more conservative than many other countries in the region on the issue.
He acknowledged that reducing the penalty for small amounts of marijuana possession would help unclog the criminal justice system.
Mitchell has said The Bahamas is open to discussing the issue of legalizing medical marijuana.
His comments came after Jamaica's leaders announced their intent to decriminalize possession for medical purposes by the end of the year.
"We have heard the views on a market approach to fighting anti-drug efforts advanced by many countries," Mitchell said recently.
"We note the developments in the United States and have canvassed the potential policy changes with United States officials."
Washington state and Colorado have legalized recreational marijuana use.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mitchell, Minister of Labour Shane Gibson and others are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a CARICOM meeting which concludes today.

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