ILLUMINATING DEARTH OF INTELLECTUALS

Sir, 

The subject of whether or not to legalise marijuana has been dragging for too long now. 

When the subject of legalising marijuana was initially discussed in Parliament, the then PM, under pressure from lawmakers, undertook to commission a study to determine the pros and cons in order to determine a way forward. 

It is quite disappointing that there have been limited voices on this issue, as is always the case with many other issues of national importance, yet it directly impacts on many emaSwati. 

Transition

As a nation in transition, we need to find answers on why the majority of the people appear detached and impervious to issues that directly impact them. Could this be illuminating on a dearth of intellectuals within our shores? Could it be that people are disinterested in their own affairs and would rather keep their opinions to themselves? Could it be because of fear to challenge the relevant stakeholders and, therefore, a question of self-preservation? Yes, there are more questions than answers to this national malaise. Whichever way one looks at it, it does not augur well for the Kingdom of Eswatini, more specifically on matters relevant to nation building. Whatever the malaise that is responsible for paralysing thought leadership, it has a negative impact on the country’s development agenda. 

Behaviour

But like many issues, there has been very little engagement by the populace. So far, those few entering the fray have tried to shut out the possibility of legalising with puerile argument such as dysfunctional families and delinquent behaviour with very little that is persuasive in their arguments when weighed against overall national economic benefits of legalising. In fact, the little debate that has ensures has merely exposed mental and intellectual colonisation manifested by the failure and refusal to examine and question old concepts, values and systems for our systemic renewal and progression to avoid decaying into the dustbin of history.

As it were, the colonial power that left us with the piece of legislation central to this issue is today using the herb to produce a multiple of drugs that are adding value to the lives of people across the world. The economic benefits of these need not be over emphasised. 

Information

Information about the many uses of the herb is readily available and, therefore, ignorance should not be used as a defence for the same reason that we do not need to reinvent the wheel. It should also be stated that the essence of legalising or even decriminalising is not for smoking purposes as many seem to think, but for commercial purposes and the pharmaceutical, textile and construction industries whose net benefit to the economy would make the sugar industry look like minuscule operations. 

Concerned liSwati 

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