The call to legalise marijuana

Dear Editor

 

Just a few weeks ago, Iuni Sapolu was one of the leading personnel of a peaceful protest that aimed at conserving the Faasinomaga of all Samoan people, our lands. It was a bold stance, I emphasised the value of their efforts.

Last week from the same mouth, a cry for marijuana to be legalised came loud and clear. Stunned I had to sit down for a moment and just wonder what happened. To clarify I am not without sin and have no intention to prove myself a saint but the mere fact that an educated (I suppose) woman is crying out to legalise a plant that has been illegal and most probably for some good reason is indeed hilarious.

Here are a few things that would have made a difference if supplied:

1. How is it used to become a cure and what disease will it apply to?

2. Will it be manufactured locally, used naturally or exported overseas as primary products and then we import it at triple the cost?

3. Are there any side effects in using it as medicine, pain killer or any other form of drug?

The call also addressed the economic benefits that we would get from exporting the plant. Here are a few questions?

1. Where will the destination markets for such raw products be?

2. What is the lifespan of such product, can it sustain transportation, quarantine?

3. What requirements should be put in place to ensure a stable flow of trade?

4. Are resources required for it to be exported available in Samoa or an overseas company would come in and attend to it, that would be less contribution to our economy. 

Then there is a matter of the lives at stake. I read an article by one of the marchers which stated that he asked the ancestors, elderly, teenagers and finally the unborn, well metaphorically of course. This same principle when applied to this call is very entertaining. 

1. Ask our ancestors and they would probably say that perhaps they were fools then when they made marijuana illegal. That they were just fools when they valued lives and family.

2. Ask our elderly and they would cry, because when push comes to shove they are easy targets for robbers acquiring money to satisfy addictions

3. Ask the teenagers and they would probably be too high to answer. We are providing them with an easy way out of commitment and education. Are they not the future of our country? Are they not supposed to be the leaders that would uphold our nation? They would rather be corner boys pushing marijuana or Lord knows what intimidating the gangster lives seen in movies.

4. Ask the unborn, they wouldn’t probably understand, suffocating and influenced by the high level of drugs circulating in their mothers systems.

Just the other day, Mata’afa Keni Lesa in his editorial stated that it is the obligation of the Samoa Observer to present the views of every person although they do not necessarily agree to it. 

My question is what of your obligation to your readers? The different generations that has access to your paper. Are you simply going to pass the ball, discretion is an important aspect of life. 

Not just publishing but producing a well informed article providing necessary information.

There is no doubt that marijuana is being sold around town, but because of the law it is being dealt secretly. The law is the thin piece of thread that is keeping sanity, respect and peace in Samoa. Now if we remove that, what is left to keep us in check, our perseverance? No we lost that when we chose to adhere to a call that was not the best intent.

Faafetai i le Malo mo le teena ma le faamanino o lona tulaga i lenei mataupu.

 

Samuelu Puleiata

Samoa Observer

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