A recent video of a Jamaican toddler, who appears to be about three years old, smoking marijuana has been posted on the Internet and is creating quite a buzz.

The video, about a minute long, shows the toddler in a yard with several adults, being cheered on and motivated to smoke a big 'ganja spliff'.

The toddler appeared to be familiar with the habit and did not shy away from the challenge as he was videotaped smiling.

"Pull it, you nah pull it," one of the adults says when the youngster begins lighting the substance. All this occurs while the other adults laugh uncontrollably.

When THE STAR yesterday made contact with Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Ealan Powell, he said that the adults or parents in such a video could be charged with child abuse if it is proven to be authentic.

video

According to ACP Powell, "Proving that such a video is authentic would be very difficult, however, if it can be proven to be so, then under the Child Care and Protection Act that parent or adult who gives a child marijuana to smoke could be charged with child abuse among other charges under the Act."

In the meantime, Mary Clarke, the children's advocate, raised several concerns when contacted.

According to Clarke, she has dealt with complaints about children drinking alcohol but she has never had to deal with cases of children smoking, especially toddlers. "What are we doing to our children, this speaks to parental responsibility. Where are the parents?" she asked.

She said that this also speaks to the lack of education and the enforcement of the law. "The act forbids children smoking or drinking alcohol, children should not even go to the shop to purchase any of these items. The citizen who witnesses this act should make a report to the Children Development Agency (CDA) or the Children's Registry at 1-888-PROTECT begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-888-PROTECT      end_of_the_skype_highlighting," she said.