Calypsonian was to use cancelled competition to promote legalizing marijuana locally
At least one calypsonian had planned to use the now-cancelled Calypso Competition during the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival as a platform to renew calls for marijuana laws to be relaxed in the British Virgin Islands.
Lester ‘Mighty Leyley’ Fontelio, a former Calypso King, said he had planned to address the issue using satire, which is a common element of the genre.
“One of the songs I had for calypso was basically concerning the legalization of marijuana and what is really going on. It was a song with a little humour,” Fontelio told BVI News.
“I had my songs ready to go, and then this came up,” he adding, referring to the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the territory.
Fontelio, a St Lucian private chef who has been residing in the territory for more than 20 years, said his second song was going to address the issue of ‘hate’ on a local and international level.
“I love calypso, I love performing. I like the humour, the stories. Every time you go on stage and perform, you are going after the Crown. I always have good material, well written and since 2014, every year I always place either the first runner up or the second runner up,” he stated.
Background
Back in January, Premier Andrew Fahie said approximately 100 Virgin Islanders would each receive a half-acre plot of land from the government for the cultivation and production of their medicinal marijuana initiative in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.
He said the government is aiming to commence the programme in May but there has been no evidence that they would make that deadline, especially considering the disruptions cause by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Premier, in the meantime, had made that promise weeks after Governor Augustus Jaspert said in his the Speech from the Throne address that the Fahie administration was putting the necessary legislation in place that would allow for medicinal marijuana to be produced and sold in the British Virgin Islands.
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“Back in January, Premier Andrew Fahie said approximately 100 Virgin Islanders would each receive a half-acre plot of land from the government for the cultivation and production of their medicinal marijuana initiative in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.” This edict was prematurely rushed to show action, perhaps. Nevertheless, cultivating medical marijuana (CBD) is not planting sweet potato. It is a programme that the time should be taken to flesh out effectively. Medical marijuana is a drug like ay other drug that would have to be prescribed by a licensed physician so it needs to be managed effectively from cradle to grave, ie, planting, harvesting, quality control, physical control………etc.
You need to use your platform and renew a call to the people to let them know that time is short, Jesus is about to come and we need to be ready. This corona virus is signs of prophecy in the Bible being fulfilled. Read your Bible, there is more to come, and they will come in secession. After this corona virus is deminish another pestilence will be coming.
Hes talking about a plant god made and you come in with Jesus. Are you really in support of the word of god?
Everyone coming out from under their rocks preaching doom and gloom, wait until we contain the virus these same demons who preaching doom and gloom now would be here terrorizing their very next door neighbor.
Everyone is a damn critique, people who hardly finished HS giving medical advice.
Weed smokers and smokers in general aint doing too good with this Corona. He need sing bout that.
Stop locking up people for one of the most beneficial healing plants known to man.
Meanwhile many of the pills/meds people have no problem with will kill you.
In this age of technology the results are a click away.
You dont want it in your system fine. That’s your choice, some person’s ailments dont give them that choice or a safer alternative.
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc#at-a-glance
True.
Marijuana cannot feed hungry belly. Use those acres to farm produce for local consumption as we need to become more self sufficient when it comes to food. Should have figured this out with the Corona virus Pandemic and it should be a part of any post Pandemic plan.
Legalization must not come first but decriminalization as it must be a gradual process to Legalization. There needs to be proper support systems in place like more counselors, addiction centers and more education on marijuana usage.
Marijuana for medical use yes. General consumption for recreation not.