Jamaica moves to legalise ‘Blue Montain’ ganga for export
THERE is talk of Jamaica opening itself up to ganga tours.
In this photo a Rastafarian named Bongho Jatusy smokes a pipe of marijuana outside a museum dedicated to the memory of late reggae icon Bob Marley in Kingston, Jamaica. While marijuana is still illegal in Jamaica, increasingly vocal advocates say that Jamaica could give its struggling economy a boost by taking advantage of the fact the island is nearly as famous for its marijuana as it is for beaches, reggae music and world-beating sprinters.
Justice minister Mark Golding told the Associated Press the government that legalisation is on the agenda:
“We will be reviewing the matter in light of the recent developments in this hemisphere.”
High Times reported:
In 2003, a government commission recommended legalizing marijuana in small amounts for personal use. But lawmakers never acted, saying legalization might entail loss of their country’s U.S. anti-drug certification. Countries that lose it face economic sanctions.
A U.S. State Department report Friday said that Jamaica is the largest producer of marijuana in the Caribbean and a major hub for drugs bound for the United States.
The Jamaica Gleaner adds:
A new research facility to study the scientific benefits of marijuana is to be established jointly in Jamaica by two local universities.
Paul Chang, chairman of the Ganja Law Reform Coalition made the disclosure at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum last Wednesday.
Chang said the new research centre, which is to be called the Jamaica Cannabis Institute, will be jointly established by the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech).
The GLRC wants ganga taxed and regulated.
A reader writes:
The criminalisation of citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science. The short-term health effects of ganja are inconsequential compared to the long-term effects of criminal records.
The paper’s editorial argues:
Jamaica should also be positioning itself to take commercial advantage of the developments in the US, especially should the federal prohibition on ganja come to an end. In cases where the consumer experience from the product is indistinguishable, regardless of where it is sourced, what creates market differentiation is branding. There is no doubt that the Jamaica brand is hot. Ganja could find a niche, like Blue Mountain coffee.
Posted: 9th, September 2013 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
