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The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Keith Rowley has accepted a petition regarding the decriminalization of marijuana in the country. He also agreed to hold discussions about the issue between the Attorney General and activists.
As the announcement was made and petition handed over, activist cried: “The Lion of Judah shall break every chain,” in front of the country's Parliament building Friday.
Just under two weeks ago, Rowley, speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference, said it wasn't a priority of his government to decriminalize or legalize marijuana use.
On that day, head of the Caribbean Collective for Justice Nazma Muller was denied entry to the Diplomatic Centre, where the press conference was being hosted, as she attempted to deliver a petition, featuring 10,000 signatures, to Rowley calling for the legalization of marijuana, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
A Caribbean Community-appointed group was also denied the chance to organize a national consultation on reforming marijuana laws by Trinidad and Tobago's government.
On Friday, however, as the Prime Minister arrived at the Parliament's back entrance, he approached some 50 activists, as well as Muller, who were gathered outside.
“We don't have to fight over this,” Rowley told her as he accepted the envelope with the petition tucked inside.
Rowley assured the activists that a meeting would be convened between them and the Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to determine the best way to move forward on the matter.
“It’s a great day for Trinidad and Tobago, the Prime Minister has indicated that he is willing to have a conversation to discuss the legalization of cannabis,” Muller said.
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