Norton: Legalization of Marijuana Needs Broad Societal Dialogue, Backs Hemp Industry
By Antonio Day | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – Following the Legalize Cannabis Party’s decision to align with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, questions have surfaced regarding the opposition’s stance on marijuana legalization.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Aubrey Norton, the APNU presidential candidate and opposition leader, acknowledged the complexities of the issue and indicated a cautious yet open approach to legalization.
“This is not a straightforward issue,” Norton said. “It will have to be something that is undertaken by the wider society.”
Norton emphasized the need for a four-pronged, consultative strategy involving broad public discussion, pointing out that there are both addictive and medicinal strains of cannabis, and these distinctions must be addressed in any proposed policy.
The PNCR leader noted that while countries like Jamaica, Uruguay, Mexico, and Argentina have moved forward with legalizing cannabis, the conversation in Guyana must consider public perception, health concerns, and legal implications.
On the issue of hemp, Norton said his party is in full support of the industrialization of the hemp sector, which the current administration has already shown interest in developing.
“With the government passing legislation to have a hemp industry, they have shown an interest… and we have no problem with that,” Norton added.
Under current laws passed in 2022, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Amendment Bill has removed mandatory jail time for small quantities of cannabis possession. Instead:
- Persons found with 1–5 grams of marijuana face mandatory counseling.
- Those found with 15–30 grams are required to perform community service.
- No jail time applies under 30 grams, but higher quantities may still trigger prosecution under narcotics laws.
As the debate around marijuana legalization continues to evolve in Guyana, Norton’s response suggests that APNU is not opposed to reform, but insists that national consensus, health data, and social realities must guide it.
