Banning Hemp is "Super Nonsense"

Doctor to (Antigua) government: legalise marijuana for economic stimulus

By OBSERVER News

Source: antiguaobserver.com

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) is being advised by a medical expert to brave the political backlash and legalise marijuana for the good of the nation’s economy and people’s health.

The advice comes from Dr Gilbertha St Rose whose expertise is in the field of dermatology and integrated medicine. She runs a company called Eden Herbs.

“At some point our politicians need to be brave and bold and do what is sensible,” Dr St Rose said.

“In fact … if you really want a stimulus package to get into action get some marijuana cultivation and some products from it. That would stimulate, and be ready for the backlash and be ready to deal with it.”

Dr St Rose, who graduated from the University of the West Indies (UWI) as a physician, said governments need to decriminalise the herb despite concerns that it could create detrimental health impacts.

“We know otherwise and we know it’s more politics than economics and it’s unfortunate that they let that be a cause for depriving the people from what could be so helpful for them,” she said.

“It’s ridiculous to say marijuana has no medical uses because there have been so many studies, so many research papers showing the medicinal use of marijuana and also there are persons who can testify to the great results they got using marijuana,” Dr St Rose added.

She believes legalising the herb would create an enormous economic opportunity for the island’s struggling economy.

“Looking at industrial hemp, even that is illegal and that is super nonsense that we are not benefitting from the industrial hemp and there are over 50,000 products can be made from (it),” Dr St Rose said.

“Even the marijuana seed which has no psychoactive element, which is what the big fuss is about, is very nutritious,” she added.