(Dominica News Online) Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that the first national consultation on the decriminalisation of marijuana will be held on November 16 but has rejected the notion that such a move could have a positive impact on the nation’s economy.

“Decriminalisation of certain quantities of marijuana and the use of certain potencies of marijuana for medicinal purposes is another issue we must confront having reached the age of forty,” Skerrit stated in his 2018 Independence Day address.

He said the issue of whether to allow the use of medicinal and or recreational marijuana is a matter that will come under the microscope in an open and transparent manner in the months ahead.

“As a matter of fact, the first national consultation on the decriminalisation of marijuana and its use for medicinal purposes, will be held on November 16, 2018. Dr. Donald Peters [DSC President] has been appointed as coordinator for this initiative,” he stated.

The prime minister admonished the country to be very careful “about exposing our young minds unduly to this substance.” He said whatever decision is taken in this regard, must take into account the proper and adequate protection of the children and the young people of Dominica.