Following the recent sentencing of Dereck Bonnelame and Alexander Geers for cannabis-related offences, the Seychelles Kanabis Association (SKA) has issued the following statement:
“Both the custodial sentences are excessive and not in line with reality when it comes to cannabis and the direction this plant is heading.
“While Seychelles incarcerates its users for possession and cultivation of cannabis, many other countries are spearheading the development and implementation of cannabis within a legal framework and more are following in their footsteps.
“The benefits of cannabis are undeniable, but the medical cannabis law in Seychelles is not fit for purpose and gives the citizens no access to this much-needed medicine.
“As a result, anyone in Seychelles wishing to treat their illnesses with cannabis is forced to seek it from other illicit means putting themselves at great risk with the law and even going to prison.
“Our Constitution permits every Seychellois the right to the protection of their health and to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
“Evidence has shown cannabis can help to balance a number of physiological functions inside our body, and the reason it has far-reaching health benefits.
“Is it fair and justifiable to persecute Seychellois because they’ve decided to utilise cannabis?
“For too long we have heard lies, misinformation and propaganda on this subject with the sole purpose to demonise cannabis and to even associate it with harder substances like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine among others.
“Today the truth about cannabis has unravelled and is readily available to the public, everyone has access to this information. It will not be easy to continue to mislead the public about cannabis.
“Therefore, we urge the government and the members of parliament to take meaningful actions to review the law that continues to violate our right to protect our health and our liberty by incarcerating innocent people because of a God-given plant.”
Source: Seychelles Nation
