Cabinet approved public consultations on the merits of growing hemp in Tonga Featured
Hemp
28 October, 2019. A leaked government document in Tonga appearing to show Cabinet approval for public consultations on the merits of growing hemp has sparked vigorous debate.
The official memorandum bears the seal and signature of the Chief Secretary to Cabinet, Edgar Cocker, and is addressed to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet as well as ministry chief executives.
The document shows approval for public consultation on a proposal from an entity referred to as "The Brown Group" for the cultivation and production of hemp for business purposes.
Radio New Zealand International correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, said since the document surfaced Tongans had been flooding social media with questions.
He said some were asking why the new government was prioritising the growing of hemp when there were more pressing issues, such as the growth of methamphetamine and cannabis use.
A few people had released information covering the health benefits of hemp.
Others pointed out the cannabis plant in discussion produces both hemp and marijuana, which are illegal in Tonga.
An increasing number of people however have called for the legalising of hemp for medicinal reasons.
However, in a country where the church is the most dominant social force, there may be a rough passage ahead for the legalisation calls.
- RNZI
1 comment
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I have nothing to do today so I decided to pick apart this memo.
Please look at the hemp law first before you debate why or why not. Or which plant is better or potent? Or identify which plants we commercialized so we can duplicate its’ success.
First, let us talk about confidential memorandum. This memo is intended for a group of high official folks as listed on the memo. However, the memo is now on Facebook. Facebook is synonymous with public. So much for being confidential.
All memo has a basic structure. “From” is part of that structure but it is missing from the document. That left us the audience to guess who initiate it; Legislative Assembly or Cabinet. Just like everything else the government does half azz, it left us the tax payers to guess. Edgar please improve your memo writing skill. I read your minutes from the Falealea and I know you can do better.
Hemp law – while I can’t find the law with regards to banning of hemp, I found twenty plus court cases of Tongans being convicted of Indian hemp possession. That means you can not obtain, store, transport, plant ANY form of the hemp species. Regardless if it is of the cannabis type indica, sativa or ruderalis. The law prohibited ANYONE, I mean anyone whether you’re the King, Princess, Prince, Governor, Cabinet, Prime Minister or the people of the land to carry or touch hemp.
So, who can change the hemp law? Legislative Assembly [LA].
What is the duty of the Cabinet? Their duty is to enforcing the laws passed by the LA including the hemp law. NOT creating, suspension or creating a workaround the hemp laws. Got that?
Thus, what on earth and by what AUTHORITY does the Cabinet have to authorize the “… cultivation and productions of hemp plants in Tonga for business purposes.” This is a product that is prohibited by the LA. You absolutely have no authority to authorize such a project. The Popua park project consist of exactly the same errors as this project.
On the “To” list, the Privy Council is missing. Why? Why is that important? Because the Attorney General is reporting and taking orders from the P-Council. That is the role of the P-Council, Constitution [31A].
Cabinet, you do not have the right let alone to telling the AG what to do. This is what is called separation of power to avoid conflict of interest. Remember the six new laws? Aaha now you are thinking but you are too stupid to acknowledge it.
This memo depicted what is wrong with various mechanical movement of our government. I am a protocol type a guy. This allow me to see why our government fail miserably in governance. Because the members of the MP fail to recognize their responsibilities, protocols and the boundary of their authority. ‘Oku ‘ai ‘ai noa’ia pe ‘etau samena. Koe ‘uhinga lahi ia ‘o ‘etau felekeu koe ta’e mahino ho tau fatoniga fkfo’I tuitui moe ngata’anga ho tau mafai fkngaue.
God bless Tonga if they fktomala.