APPENDIX C SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INPUT FROM POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO MARIJUANA COMMISSIONERS REPORT GRENADA 1.
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How is the law enforced (does law enforcement enforce this issue or turn a blind eye? If they do - for certain persons etc.?) A. The law is enforced on anyone who contravenes it. There is no special person or groups that have been given the privilege or is exempted from facing the consequences of breaking this law. What are the arrest profile rates for marijuana - What percentage of users were involved in violent crimes? A. From a law enforcement perspective, there is very little correlation between marijuana users and violent crimes, taking into consideration the effects of the drug. Do you have any information as to whether marijuana is used alone or mixed with other drugs? A. Depending on the potency of the marijuana (sometimes it is determined by the origin) for example marijuana coming from South America is considered more potent than locally grown cannabis; users have been known to mix marijuana with local or imported tobacco. What is the trial process like - availability of legal representation; legal aid? A. Marijuana is a Misdemeanour offence here in Grenada, meaning that it can be tried summarily by a magistrate, (which normally takes from a week to about year), or Indictable by a judge, (which can take from six months to three years). Legal aid is provided for all indictable matters. What are sentences like – Is there any flexibility? A. Summarily, a magistrate can impose either a fine of up to EC$250,000.00 or imprisonment of up to five (5) years in prison, or both. On indictable matters, a judge can impose a fine of up to EC$500,000.00 or imprisonment of up to twenty-five (25) years in prison, or both. They do have the flexibility when comes to sentencing. Any information on Recidivism? A. Of course, there have been repeated offenders that have passed from time to time in the system, (fined and imprisoned). Experiences for Drug rehabilitation, in particular, if there is a Drug court - how is that going? A. In Grenada, we do not have a Drug Court; however, we have a psychiatric treatment center which also treats drug abuse victims, who is either sent for evaluation and treatment from the court, or receives treatment as a walk-in patient. This center is quite small and cannot accommodate persons for a protracted period. Can you give any information on the reasons people give for USAGE - i.e. medical purposes, religion, stress etc.? A. Most persons has indicated that they use marijuana for recreational purposes, although a few has indicated that they use marijuana for medical purposes, such as cancer and other painful illnesses Male to female ratio? A. Over a five-year period, the male to female ratio of arrests for marijuana average about 16:1 Do you have any information on the impact of arrests etc. on female prisoners? A. Due to the small number of females being arrested for marijuana, it is not a cause for concern, nor does it create an impact of female prisoners.
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