12
Caribbean Life, April 7-13, 2022
STAB IN THE BACK ‘Cannabis Conversations’
one had perceived any disagreement with the
unanimous decision of heads of government at
the Belize mid-year summit. Now, weeks after
everyone thought the issue had been settled, in
comes Jamaica, putting forward its own candidate
and vowing continued support for her, at
least for now.
Hinting at the consequential national
embarrassment, an editorial in the Gleaner
newspaper this week argued that it is urgent
and important for the island to speak clearly
on the snafu largely because the government
could be seen as a “stalking horse’ for others.
The matter again suggests a continuing erosion
of Jamaica’s vaunted diplomatic skills of
the past and perhaps the need for Prime Minister
Andrew Holness to act on this newspaper’s
previous urgings that his administration
assembles a team of old foreign policy hands to
help sort out an obvious problem.”
Baroness Scotland, 66, who was raised in
England and had served as a parliamentary
under secretary in a labor government and
well as on the racial equality commission,
has already been at the center of simmering
controversies with influential western nations
in the grouping like Australia, Canada and
Britain over alleged corruption and cronyism.
Some anger was also directed at her for sloth in
reforming the London-based secretariat and its
internal systems.
Reacting as the week began, Antiguan Prime
Minister Gaston Browne and Dominica’s Prime
Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit both complained
about the break in unity.
“Those who are hounding Baroness Scotland
out of office have now skillfully engineered
a plan to divide CARICOM and to stain the
performance of the region. We must not fall
prey to these Machiavellian tactics. Despite the
pledges of support, there is some level of naivety
for Jamaica to believe that the success of its
candidature will be assured,” CMC news agency
reported. To the contrary, it would only serve as
a gateway for a non-CARICOM secretary general
to succeed. Jamaica should not fall for this
mirage, by exposing one of its finest daughters
to this Machiavellian trap, said Browne.
Continued from Page 1
campaign started on Monday and will run
for about three months.
Monday’s launch is centered on a 30-second,
overarching message that highlights:
New York State legalizing cannabis, but only
for adults 21 years old and over; not driving
under the influence; keeping second-hand
cannabis smoke away from other people;
locking up cannabis and storing it out of
reach of children and pets.
As part of the campaign, the governor
said additional messages will be introduced
in the future to reinforce and expand on
these concepts.
Hochul said the campaign builds on the
Office of Cannabis Management’s first public
outreach effort, also called “Cannabis
Conversations,” where the OCM held virtual
outreach sessions in 10 regions across New
York and an 11th session in Spanish.
The governor said New York’s Cannabis
Law focuses on public health and is grounded
in the principles of public safety, social
justice and equitable economic development
designed to help undo the harm caused by
cannabis prohibition.
As part of this public policy shift, the law
requires public health education campaigns
that inform New Yorkers of the new law and
the impact of cannabis use on public health
and safety.
“’Cannabis Conversations’ is our first public
health campaign as we make sure New
Yorkers have the initial information they
need to stay safe and healthy,” said Cannabis
Control Board Chair, Tremaine Wright.
“We have learned from other states and
are excited to amplify these important messages
across the State,” he added. “Meanwhile,
we’re hard at work building this new
industry, and as it continues to evolve, so,
too, will our public education efforts with
future campaigns tackling a growing range
of health and safety messaging.”
Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis
Management Chris Alexander said,
“Our first public health education campaign,
‘Cannabis Conversations,’ will give
New Yorkers the information they need to
start talking about our state’s Cannabis Law
and the health and safety implications for
consuming cannabis.
“This fact-based campaign reflects the
change in how we’re approaching cannabis
as we focus on evidence-based education
over prosecution,” he added.
The “Cannabis Conversations” campaign
was developed by the Office of Cannabis
Management following a review of education
campaigns operated by other states legalized
adult-use cannabis before New York state
and in partnership with the Office of Addiction
Services and Supports, the Department
of Health, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety
Committee.
Continued from Page 1
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.
Associated Press / Collin Reid
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