Cannabis can be part of the solution, not the problem
Readers’ Response
Jan Arden’s recent opinion piece, “Cannabis, ‘Simik,’ and the Legalisation Debate,” offers a poignant and timely reflection on the realities of drug use in our communities. The lorry driver’s candid testimony of “simik” devastating his neighbourhood while finding personal solace in cannabis is a powerful illustration of the urgent need for a pragmatic and evidence-based approach to drug policy in Mauritius.
Arden rightly points out that the medical use of low-THC cannabis was cautiously enacted in 2022. However, three years on, while we grapple with the devastating impact of synthetic drugs like “simik” – which are undeniably a far greater threat to our youth and society – we appear to be “dilly-dallying” on a broader conversation about cannabis depenalisation or even regulated recreational use for adults.
Other nations have already taken this leap, driven by a growing body of scientific, medical, and social data. Canada, for instance, legalised and regulated non-medical cannabis use by adults in October 2018. Since then, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany have followed suit, each implementing diverse regulatory frameworks aimed at preventing abuse while moving away from the failed prohibitionist model.
These countries did not act impulsively. Their decisions were informed by a critical assessment of the “gateway drug” theory and the recognition that a regulated market can offer an alternative to illicit, often more dangerous, substances. Early trends from these jurisdictions provide valuable insights into managing consumption, generating tax revenue, and, crucially, diverting individuals away from the black market where synthetic drugs thrive.
The question then arises: Why is Mauritius hesitating? We have established a new Drug Agency, which, as Arden suggests, is perfectly positioned to monitor these international case studies. The anecdotal evidence presented in the article — of cannabis potentially acting as a less harmful destressor for some, while “simik” wreaks havoc — demands a deeper, less dogmatic look at our current drug classifications and enforcement priorities.
It is time for Mauritius to move beyond cautious half-measures and engage in a brave, honest, and comprehensive national dialogue on cannabis policy. This is not about promoting drug use but about adopting a public health and harm reduction approach that prioritises the safety of our citizens, particularly from the true scourge of synthetic drugs. The experiences of other nations demonstrate that a well-regulated framework for cannabis and supported by medical research into the pros and cons of its depenalisation can be part of the solution, not the problem.
M.C.
Curepipe
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Time to Act
Jan Arden’s article on cannabis, “Simik,” and the legalisation debate raises a fundamental question about our national priorities in combating drug abuse. It’s time for a critical re-evaluation. If we genuinely aim to protect our youth and enhance public health, our efforts and resources must be squarely directed at the truly destructive substances. The international shift towards depenalising or regulating cannabis, as seen in some countries, is not an endorsement of drug use, but a pragmatic recognition that criminalising cannabis often empowers the illicit market, making it easier for more harmful drugs to proliferate.
By adopting a more progressive and evidence-based approach to cannabis, we can free up law enforcement to target the real menace of synthetic drugs and generate revenue that could be reinvested into comprehensive addiction treatment and prevention programs. We must learn from global experiences and act decisively.
F.K. Bundhun
Port Louis
Researching Middlesbrough’s First Mauritian Settler
I seek assistance from your readers for research I am conducting on a Mauritian lady, believed to be the first from Mauritius to settle in Middlesbrough, my hometown in the northeast of England.
My findings include a fragment of a memorial dedicated to Lodoiska, daughter of Charles Doderlein d’Ambreville, who served as the British consul, and her husband, Samuel Richmond.
Edna Reddy
edreddy46@gmail.com
2025/26 Budget: a moment of truth for Mauritius
The 2025/26 Budget is a moment of truth for Mauritius. It calls for a courageous shift towards fiscal discipline, ambitious economic diversification, and a renewed commitment to good governance and social equity. While the initial announcements address some of these concerns, the ultimate success of this budget will hinge on its ability to transcend traditional fiscal planning and truly lay the groundwork for a coherent long-term economic vision rooted in innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
It is an opportunity to forge a new economic and social contract, one that delivers on the promise of a more prosperous and equitable future for all Mauritians. The journey ahead will require unwavering political will, transparent implementation, and a sustained commitment to the principles of resilience, transparency, and equity. Only then can Mauritius truly embark on a path of sustainable recovery and genuine transformation.
P. Lim Yan
Roches Brunes
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 6 June 2025
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