Chevannes THE MAJORITY of people who appeared before the National Commission on ganja were in favour of the decriminalisation of the banned substance, commission chairman Professor Barry Chevannes said yesterday.
"It may be deduced so far that most persons and organisations would support the decriminalisation of the use of ganja for private purposes and in private spaces," Professor Chevannes said while giving an interpretation of the interim findings. But, he noted there were some who preferred to "maintain the status quo regarding the criminal status of ganja in Jamaica".
The National Commission on Ganja, now in its sixth month of public hearings into the possible decriminalisation of the banned herb, has to date received submissions from 153 individuals representing diverse organisations.
The commission, which began its sittings in King-ston last Nov-ember, has visited 11 communities in several parishes. It has another three months to go before submitting its final report to the Prime Minister on whose mandate the commission was established.
Of the number making submissions, 46 represent the professional or managerial occupational category while 29 comprised the artisans/skilled category. Among the organisations making presentations were the National Democratic Movement, the Medical Association of Jamaica, Jamaica Manufacturers Association, the Scientific Research Council and the Rastafarian Centralisation Organisation.
The commission will, during the course of the month, continue hearings in Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Portland and St. Mary. It will visit Trelawny, St. Ann and St. Thomas in June.
Professor Chevannes said it was on track to meet its August deadline as stipulated in the terms of reference given by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
