more rational marijuana dialogue

At a meeting of the Senate Economic Development, Energy and Technology Committee yesterday small business development was being discussed. Sen O'Reily asked what could be done about about prostitution. Ivan Butcher, owner of The Butcher Shop suggested that prostitution should be legalized and herbal drugs such as marijuana and mushrooms be decriminalized "Basically my point is to take the profit element out of the picture".

Sen Barshinger said he might sponsor such legislation, "If you can make the case to show we'd have a benefit to society I will sponsor legislation" He said he has never smoked MJ he said he has noticed individuals who smoke it aren't bad people.
Senator Barshinger also said, " A person who is drunk is much less like themselves than a person who smokes marijuana".

This is great news for the VI and shows the building support for a rational approach for responsible adults who use marijuana for medical or recreational purposes

usvi normal is also working on a legalization bill. Here is a message about Usvinorml's activities and progress;

USVI NORML is growing and moving forward at quite a fast pace. We have
legislation almost complete and ready to pass it on to the national NORML
lawyers as well as attorneys at the Drug Policy Alliance. We have been
holding meetings around the Territory - educating and building support. You
will be seeing more about the petition drives we will be having nearer the
end of this year.

We have been working with the Voter Registration Board to set up Voter
Registration Drives. We had been invited in to meet with the farmers at
Bordeaux on St. Thomas, having done that last weekend - with very favorable
results. We have a few local attorneys wanting to come aboard and learn
more. We have been on 2 radio shows in the last week, represented at a
number of functions on St. Thomas.

We will be at Tempo representing, as well as Paradise Jam Basketball for
both the men and women's teams later this month. We've been approached by 2
homegrown Reggae artists that have made it big offering to do PSA/radio
spots for us. We've been having home meetings around the Territory.

I'd say, if you are interested in finding out more about what we are doing
and want to be a part of this movement - listen to a radio, pick up a
newsletter floating around the islands, or just call or email us. We can't
answer your questions if you don't ask someone!

Bless,