Arrests After Cannabis Festival Set Stage for Legal Test
Two men arrested for marijuana possession after Antigua’s Cannabis Festival are mounting a legal defence, arguing that their actions were protected by special event permissions.
Their lawyers are challenging the charges, seeking full disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the arrests. One of the men, a member of the Nyabinghi faith, claims his use of cannabis was religious, a right recognised during the festival under temporary exemptions.
The event, sanctioned by Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, allowed public consumption of cannabis during specific ceremonies. Regis Burton, head of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority, previously highlighted the festival’s unique permissions for religious use.
Defence teams are expected to argue that these approvals should shield their clients from prosecution.
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So wah sense mek if dem say people could use cannabis at de festival, but now dem locking up man? Antigua need fu get it right!
If de Attorney General give special permission, dem charges nah supposed to stand up in court. Waste a time and taxpayers money!
Festival or no festival, rules is rules. Cannabis use still illegal unless fully legalized. Young people must know better.
“The event, sanctioned by Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, allowed public consumption of cannabis during specific ceremonies. Regis Burton, head of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority, previously highlighted the festival’s unique permissions for religious use.” rules are rules, old people need to learn to read
Rastaman rights must be respected! Cannabis sacred, not criminal. Free up di youths dem!
I hope dis nah another case where special permission confuse everybody. Clear communication from de government needed next time
I was deh! Everybody smoke freely and security nuh say nutten. Now dem picking out two young men? Smh!
Public smoking illegal unless clearly allowed. If dem young men step outside de guidelines, dem have to face it
Nyabinghi practice deserve protection. Antigua proud of we culture, but still persecuting we own? Shame!
what is so special about Nyabinghi??? They are not above the law. The LAW applies to all. If they don’t want to comply, move to Shashamane!
Religious or not, possession and transport outside de authorized area is still against de law. Know de boundary!
Dis a show why we need proper cannabis reform, not half-half permission. Too much grey area causing problems.
Old people nuh understand. Dis new generation see cannabis as healing, not crime. Time fu move wid de world!
Long time we warn, confusion would come when dem start to legalize bit by bit. Whole law need overhaul, not just festival days!
I hope the victims have not paid the lawyers…….
If they did that’s money thrown into a bottomless pit…….
Lawyers must be reminded of the AG’s plans and actions when he released a number of prisoners and had to go back and find them and take them back into custody…..
No minister can give instructions and permission to break any law………
The law stipulates the legally approved quantity of cannabis that one can have in his possession…….
A minister cannot give permission for tou to carry more than that amount……….
If he was able he would also give permission for someone to kill his political opponent with no fear of punishment…….
So, if you have already paid the lawyers go back and collect your money………
Interesting, if I may say so. Am not sure of all the facts and circumstances here, and once again I think that ANR has fallen short with this news article. way short.
The Police must have a reason why the two was charged. Was it that the special permission is valid only on the grounds of the festival. Was that exemption only applicable to certain groups.
Writer should have reached out to the Police and found out the reason for the charges. If they did so and gotten no response, then state so.
Maybe the two persons charged just was ignorant of the exemption laws. Proper reporting, educational and informative reporting can prevent future misunderstanding.
This to me is simply lazy reporting.
And for the record, I am for the legislation of the herb, but am against these exemption laws. Have it legal or illegal.