{"id":13555,"date":"2022-09-01T14:59:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T14:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/seychelles-kannabis-association-launched"},"modified":"2022-09-01T16:43:44","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T16:43:44","slug":"seychelles-kannabis-association-launched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/seychelles-kannabis-association-launched","title":{"rendered":"Seychelles Kannabis Association launched"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Seychelles. <\/strong><\/span>A new association has been launched with the aim of engaging with the government in discussions regarding cannabis, its benefits and uses but more importantly pushing for the legalisation of the plant.
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\nThe Seychelles Kannabis Association (SKA) was officially launched in a ceremony yesterday afternoon at the Augerine Hotel, Beau Vallon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we say legalise cannabis, we do not mean that people can do whatever they want with it,\u201d said Nelson Esparon, the association\u2019s chairperson.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe aim of SKA is to engage with the government in discussions regarding cannabis, its benefits and uses but more importantly pushing for the legalisation of the plant,\u201d Mr Esparon noted.<\/p>\n

The SKA was first registered on July 26 this year and officially launched yesterday where the seven members of its executive committee were introduced.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe formed the association to bring information forward and we have invited various people in the community, including government officials, to start discussing the subject. This is due to the many people that wish to utilise cannabis for medicinal purposes or even on a recreational basis,\u201d said Mr Esparon.<\/p>\n

The chair of the association further added that the association is there as a body representing cannabis users, especially those that are a bit afraid to voice out their concerns.<\/p>\n

The association currently has an online petition \u2018#Freetheplant\u2019 going on and so far has received 534 petitioners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have not yet started any of our marketing campaigns that are part of our plans to bring awareness to the public that there is an online petition going on. We however will start a paper-based petition that people will need to sign to support the campaign and do some door to door,\u201d the chairperson highlighted.<\/p>\n

Besides Mr Esparon as chairperson, the other members of the SKA are Tony Souffe (vice-chair), Chloe Charles (secretary), Reuben Pierre (treasurer), Bevil Narty (regional director) and Archille Marimba (marketing director). The seventh member was not named due to work related affiliations.<\/p>\n

Mr Esparon noted that they have had some support from the government in terms of starting a dialogue with some officials on their way forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to discuss on how the public can access cannabis in a proper way, to be able to control it and have peace of mind in the society,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a perception that there will be disorder and this is not what we are bringing forward. We are bringing an educational programme on what cannabis can do for us, what the negatives are and how we can mitigate these negatives,\u201d the chairperson stressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCannabis is illegal to possess and use but we can still meet and discuss about it, and because it is illegal, it is the reason our association is here,\u201d he continued. \u201cPeople think if you use cannabis you automatically will consume heroine,\u201d Mr Esparon stated.<\/p>\n

The members of SKA and invited guests also had the opportunity to listen to a testimonial by the vice-chair on his experience and why he started using cannabis for medicinal purposes.<\/p>\n

The launch was held to coincide with Africa Day for Traditional Medicine which was yesterday.<\/p>\n\r\n