Dear Editor,
I am writing out of growing concern about what I can only describe as the spliff and drive pandemic that is quietly taking over our roads, A culture that now seems disturbingly normal in Antigua and Barbuda.
Just recently, while driving along the Queen Elizabeth Highway, I witnessed a young man operating his vehicle with one hand on the steering wheel and a lit joint in the other. Smoke filled the inside of the vehicle so thickly it looked like fog. This was not an isolated incident. I have seen the same behaviour on Perry Bay Main Road and in many, many other places across the island.
Let me be clear: this is not about attacking marijuana use or demonising young people. It is about public safety. Whatever one’s views on cannabis, driving while impaired is dangerous, full stop.
It forces me to ask the same questions many responsible citizens are now asking: Is it as a result of the decriminalization of a couple ounces of marijuana that these boys think that all they can do is smoke? I mean, it’s already bad, walking around seeing them sitting on the roadside smoking. Now they are bringing the nonsense into traffic.
Reaction time slows, judgment is affected, and innocent road users are placed at serious risk. What started as a roadside habit has now moved directly into moving vehicles, and that should alarm every parent, pedestrian, and motorist.
So again I ask: Is there something that can be done? Or should the government reverse its decision to decriminalize some small amount of marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda?
Our roads are already dangerous enough with speeding, reckless driving, and distracted driving claiming lives every year. Adding drug-impaired driving to that list is a tragedy waiting to happen.
This “spliff and drive” behaviour should not be laughed off or ignored. It requires urgent attention from law enforcement, policymakers, and public educators alike before we are forced to respond after a life is lost.
Concerned citizens are watching. And many of us are worried.
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Honestly you are one sided here with your concerns… what about the person’s that smoke cigarettes that is far more dangerous than Marijuana and I see more drivers smoking cigarettes especially business men and women around Antigua…so please speak across the board and stop speaking only against Marijuana..thank you!
This individual seems to have a vendetta towards Marijuana. Never in my 45 years on this planet seen an accident or collision occur where being high Marijuana was a factor. I believe your issue stems more along the lines of the decriminalization of this “PLANT” (not a drug). Your real reaction towards it alone gives away your TELL:- “it’s already bad, walking around seeing them sitting on the roadside smoking”. Your problem Marijuana being smoked in public. We’ve been subjected to cigarettes & cigars being smoked in our faces for centuries, and no alarms were raised. Individual have smoking Marijuana and driving long before the decriminalization and before you & I, but it’s a problem now because it’s no longer hidden.
Yu half be a upp supporter cigarette more dangerous than weed an yu a come chat fk bout weed lif up from yah so with ur bullshit
Smh I dont even know why Antigua news room waste there time to post this smh.
Some people smokes cigars and cigarettes in cars and that’s not an issue smh jut leave the marijuana smokers alone please u don’t want dem on the road side u don’t want dem in public. Now u don’t want dem in their own vehicle like we have to go back in the bush
Let’s drug test the entire Royal Police Force before we enforce rules to the public about marijuana.
Plenty of them high on the clock too!
Only my opinion but … If you stand by your letter… Don’t hide .. put yuh name…. Bout concerned citizen…GTFOH
The rum drinking and cigarette smoking is what we need to pay attention and leave Kah f8cking herb alone
Way more ppl drink and drive than those who smoke marijuana. I am not saying that it is right or acceptable but stats show alot more drinking and driving accidents than smoking and driving.
This is so true. I too have noticed this.
I must add 2 cents here. The government needs to consider also making it illegal for any adult to be smoking in the car with a minor. The number of these children going to school high from second hand smoke is ridiculous.
Also make illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to smoke, weed and Tobacco.
Decriminalization should come with business opportunities. Government could legalise marijuana grow operations that can sell legally to licensed businesses. These businesses could be cafes or just sell marijuana products. This opens up revenue streams for government and locals. Also, allows for designated smoking areas and money to enforce laws that prevent driving under the influence.
ya see the thing is you can make the argument that marijuana will impair reaction time while driving but then again so will some medication and alcohol…..Smoke fills up the car while driving and smoking marijuana…Ok so what will u tell the judge leaving high court smoking his cigarette in his Mercedes clouding up the interior??? Ya see where am getting at??? I understand your concern but quite honestly I have been seeing people driving and smoke up their vehicles from as long as I can remember…I guess the government can introduce a ban on driving while smoking (include Cigars and cigarettes)..You are gonna get push back from certain high level individuals….I dunno if there is anything that can be done but for us to mind our business….
These days no one can do anything without a spliff in their mouth…..
Driving
Construction
Landscaping
Mechanics
Tire Repair people
Workmen in the back of trucks
But The Cigarette And Drive Pandemic Took Over Antigua YEARS Ago, The Cigarette And Walk Pandemic Took Over Antigua YEARS Ago And No One Saying Anything About That.. So Much Crime And Shit Taking Over The Country, Unsolved Murders, People Missing, Your Daughters Running Away To Take Dick The Size Of Lamppost, The Town Is Nasty, Dirty And Needs Upgrading, The Youths Are Out Of Control, Plenty People Homeless, Casinos Opening Every Day, Woman Selling Their Pussy On Every Street Corner In Antigua, And All You Can Write About And Have Concerns About Is Man A Drive And Smoke Weed? You Know How Much Drunkard In Antigua, Including Political And Church Leaders, And Or Even The Person Who Write That Crap, Drink Get Drunk And Do Stupid Shit!!!
We Bigger Problem To Deal With!!!!
Ban ALL SMOKING in public period. Just like cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products are reaping havoc on the human body and the healthcare system – mentally and physically, the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic marijuana labeled as medicinal marijuana for profits by the Medical Associations is reaping havoc on the society as well.
It may not happen as fast as the opioid crisis, crack epidemic or the heroine epidemics all of which came from natural plants been synthesized in laboratories but the SPLIFF EPIDEMIC will get there sooner or later.
Here’s hoping that your healthcare systems will be able to handle it.
Similar to the billions made off ultra processed foods, tobacco products and alcohol products by these companies now in the Medical marijuana game could care less as to who gets hooked.
Lady , mind your fucking business.
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