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| US Backlash Against Ganja |
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Posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 11:26:26 PT By David Williams, Freelance Writer Source: Jamaica Gleaner 
Government could be setting itself up for a major diplomatic backlash, mainly from the United States, if it accepts the recommendation of the Barry Chevannes-chaired National Commission on Ganja to decriminalise the use of the herb for private, personal use.Responding to the Commission's report which recommended an end to sanctions for private, personal use of marijuana in small quantities, a US Embassy official yesterday stated that the Government of the United States does not support decriminalisation, and indicated that the island's final decision on the matter would be subjected to intense scrutiny. "The US administration opposes the decriminalisation of marijuana use," said embassy spokesman, Michael Koplovsky, in a terse response to queries about their position given international agreements signed with Jamaica. "The US Government will consider Jamaica's adherence to its commitments under the 1988 UN Drug Convention when making its determination under the annual narcotics certification review," he said. This means that Jamaica, the biggest ganja-growing and exporting country in the region, is likely to be denied certification from the US Government as a country making efforts to fight against illegal drugs in accordance with the objectives of the UN Drug Convention. Jamaica became a party to the Convention in 1995. Certification is an annually renewable stamp of approval identifying countries as having co-operated fully with the United States government in the war on drugs, or having taken adequate steps on their own to achieve full compliance with the goals established by the Convention. Countries which do not receive certification and those that are decertified lose most of their foreign assistance from the United States, and the US is required to vote against any assistance to that country from major multilateral lending agencies, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development bank and the IMF. Sociologist Dr. Dennis Forsythe last night denounced the threat of decertification as an attack on Jamaica's sovereignty, typical of US big stick diplomacy and hypocrisy. Dr. Forsythe, who won a landmark victory in the Constitutional Court in 1997 which acknowledged his right to possess and use marijuana for religious purposes under Section 21 of the Constitution, said decriminalisation will "satisfy a basic need of the Jamaican people" and will not infringe on the rights of others because cannabis will not be exported. "This is a domestic affair. It is a recommendation for self-help, not to export ganja, so we are not imposing it on anybody," he told The Gleaner. "The Commission's recommendation is in keeping with the sentiments of the Jamaican people. If America is so much for democracy then to deny us certification because of this is in flagrant breach of such principles," he said. Among its list of its recommendations to Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, the Ganja Commission advised that urgent diplomatic initiatives be embarked upon with foreign countries to elicit support for Jamaica's stance on the drug and to influence other countries to re-examine its status. Complete Title: US Backlash Against Ganja - Embassy Official Warns of Decertification for Jamaica Newshawk: Nicholas Thimmesch II Related Articles: US Issues Ganja Warning Decriminalise it, Says Ganja Commission Jamaica: The Ganja Culture Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #26 posted by lookinside on August 19, 2001 at 12:41:08 PT:
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| i placed a vote and comment at that site...i hope everyone here does... tdm(i hope to see that name in red...SOON) said something doctors could then recommend all possible remedies without this idea would put alot of (useless, non productive) people the pharmaceutical companies(including SEAGRAMS and PHILLIP a very interesting idea... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #25 posted by PoisonedFor4YrsSoFar on August 18, 2001 at 05:53:45 PT |
| Cool and Funny comment CongressmanSuet , and profound closing sentence. Here is the the full link to the story of the American teenager who chose death over torture. It would not fit in the link field because it is so long. and nobody is responsible for her death! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #24 posted by The Offspring on August 18, 2001 at 05:02:39 PT |
| This is stupid. I thought each country can make its own laws but I guess the U.S. will not let that happen. This is an effect of globalization. Jamaica will have more international support than the United States. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #23 posted by Kal on August 17, 2001 at 23:36:27 PT:
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| Haha , so smokin pot can make you paranoid(they say). So what are the legislators and cabinet of the USA smokin. Makes you wonder. Ah well they can always have a snifter of that very SAFE drug- ALCOHOL. A country that does not lean from history, is condemned to repeat its mistakes. Did the USA learn nothing from its vacuous attempt at prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s!!!! Oh I forgot prohibition did achieve something, it was instrumental in the consolidation of the Mob. It was that great American 'benefactor' Henry Ford who mouthed the inane staement " History is Bunk" Nuff said. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #22 posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 23:18:57 PT |
| http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread10640.shtml#6 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #21 posted by Lehder on August 17, 2001 at 22:06:47 PT |
| lots of islands in the caribbean. islands with governments that like tourists and already have casinos, hotels and banks. yer gonna like the domino theory. Buena noche, guerreros de la droga, y buen riddance. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #20 posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 21:59:05 PT |
| Kickaha, I'm not really up on music except I know what I like and the music of Jamaica gives me a sense that everything is ok and to enjoy the moment for what it is. Like a song from Cocktail. Don't worry be happy! It nourishes a person spirit I guess it could be said. After seeing the links that Lehder posted I would really love to go there and just take it all in. Maybe someday. I really believe I would rather go to Jamaica then Amsterdam. I love the ocean. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #19 posted by Lehder on August 17, 2001 at 21:42:04 PT |
| ``At night, when the children are sleeping, sometimes I smoke a little with my lady,'' Clarke said as he bought a quarter ounce for about $2.50. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010817/wl/jamaica_marijuana_victory_1.html The article also says that the U.S. government spends about 7 million $ per year in Jamaica burning marijuana fields. The Jamaicans might take a tip from greenfox and consider the prices paid for mj in Holland and how much money U.S. citizens might spend in Jamaica burning marijuana. So-called aid does not amount to much in comparison. Remember Sopwith Camel? Wish I could recall the lyrics. http://travel.yahoo.com/t/caribbean/jamaica/map.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #18 posted by CongressmanSuet on August 17, 2001 at 20:20:44 PT |
Using Betterlink's better link,I checked out these "schools". Having been down a somewhat interesting,though by no means similar path[Mom and Dad didnt know what to do with a non-republican independant kid, as such I did "time"in a Jesuit mission in Upstate NY,I was "tutored"by men wearing sandals and long dresses...bummer] I found it fascinating. So fascinating that I signed up my troubled teenager to spend some time at Majestic Ranch Academy. I described her problems, she doesnt always listen to us, she doesnt always eat what we give her. She has a strange way of "tuning"out the world, blah, blah, blah. Well,I got an e-mail saying if I could verify payment method, she would receive immediate attention, and time was of the essence in the matter of a youth as such. Hurry,and make a decision they say. Well, I think Im gonna just ride it out. I mean, young Border Collies arent always real responsive,and well, maybe she just needs a different toy or a change in diet.....these people are worse than drug warriors, they know EXACTLY what they are doing.... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #17 posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 15:31:11 PT |
| I sure hope you have another great time. I don't know if you'll see this because I remember you said it was expensive to be on line. We'll see you when you get back and as far as ip checking I'm no computer wiz! LOL! I'll just have to take your word for it!!! [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #16 posted by tdm on August 17, 2001 at 15:09:17 PT:
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| I've posted here a few times and am whole-heartedly in favor of completely legalizing all drugs, including what we currently refer to as prescription drugs. With that said, I must admit I am tired of countries whining that they can't take any positive steps forward in re-legalization or decrim of currently illicit substances because the US will take away their foreign aid. If these countries are truly sovereign, they shouldn't be taking US money to begin with. Stealing my hard-earned dollars from me by force (which is the definition of taxation) is just as criminal as throwing people in jail for smoking cannabis. Being one step removed from the use of that force and benefitting from it is equally wrong. It is the same attitudes which allow and encourage wealth redistribution that result in the disgusting prohibition policies which are in place worldwide. Until we manage to change that big picture, these small victories are meaningless and bound to be short-lived. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #15 posted by greenfox on August 17, 2001 at 15:07:07 PT |
| Hello everybody. Believe it or not, (FoM can check my ip for the disbelievers,) I'm in the netherlands-again. Second time within the month. My credit card is maxed out. Simple. Freedom. I am at "Softland Internet Cafe/Coffieshop" on "SpuiStraat" typing this to you now. When I opened up cannabisnews, the first thing I saw was this article. Here I am enjoying legal weed & hash (and a delicious strawberry milkshake to boot!) and I'm reading this shit. FoM, sorry for my profanity, but this really is shit. I can't stand our arrogant, little piss-ant of a country. You should hear what the dutch have to say about us and our little "Georgie W" - the jokes are endless! Well, in any event, I wanted to write you all to say "HIGH" and that I love and miss you all. I will be posting to cannabisnews again next week, when I return to Nazzi USAAKKKK.... .... and customs will greet me home, warmly, like they do every time. And I will laugh as they search desperately for drugs in my effects... and I will laugh harder when they find NOTHING. After all, why do the smuggling when the post will do it for you? ;) Peace all. sly in green, foxy in kind [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on August 17, 2001 at 13:49:43 PT:
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| As an American, I find it appalling what the Federal Government of the United States has done to other nations in it's insane Children's Crusade in demonizing what were once folk remedies. As in any sovereign nation, the people of Jamaica have the right to self-determination. If that means that she refuses to march in lockstep with the USA in it's journey into the morass of tyranny which the requirements of a drug-free society would entail, then so be it. Or do you prefer a foreigner telling you how to live in your own country? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by Lehder on August 17, 2001 at 13:32:30 PT |
| I very much like p4me's straightforward and simple advice for how Jamaicans might speak to the U.S.: Just tell the U. S. to mind its own business and that you are a soveriegn country. Only Ring Lardner said it better: Shut up he explained. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by Lehder on August 17, 2001 at 13:25:16 PT |
| Jamaicans should do what is right and not worry for a single moment about U.S. "aid". Following the path of Truth in defiance of U.S. ignorance and coercion will bring Jamaica respect, friendship and opportunity throughout the world. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by betterlink on August 17, 2001 at 13:21:22 PT |
| Imagine your parents loving you enough to hand you over to an organization to torture you. How fortunate those students are! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by PoisonedFor4YrsSoFar on August 17, 2001 at 13:17:09 PT |
| previous link too long, its on home page of www.jamaicaobserver.com about an American teenager sent to a torture school called carribean center for change. Johnny smoking a little pot? not kissing enough ass? kissing the wrong person or organ? send him to torture school! Mom and Dad are heroes! for making this sacrifice - ( Is that clear enough )? [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #9 posted by p4me on August 17, 2001 at 13:07:23 PT:
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| Just tell the U. S. to mind its own business and that you are a soveriegn country. How much money does the U. S. give Jamaca anyway? If someone knows the amount of US aid to Jamaca can they post it for us. I do not know how the rest of the world tolerates the US bully. Do not be polite about it, just say you have elected officials there to run the show and to butt out. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by PoisonedFor4YrsSoFar on August 17, 2001 at 13:03:51 PT |
| Have we decertified half of Europe yet? Oh wait, we only decertify people we can pick on. Oh well. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by tom on August 17, 2001 at 12:46:19 PT |
| keeping ganja illegal helps no one (people are going to smoke it regardless of its legal status)and hurts many people. the USA was founded on principles that say, among other things, that the government cannot control peoples' lives to the extent of telling them which vegetables they can eat and which they can't. even if there are negative effects in the short term these will come from a corrupt government which has largely lost the faith of its own people and not from the american people themselves. Other countries (Canada, the UK) are experimenting already with decriminalized cannabis. The US can't hit them all with the diplomatic stick at the same time. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on August 17, 2001 at 12:17:39 PT:
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| The Jamaica Gleaner has a weekly poll available at: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/weeklypoll/ Please vote and let them know that they should decriminalize irrespective of Amerikan threats. An outpouring of electronic support from around the world may help them pursue their own course and interests. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on August 17, 2001 at 12:07:57 PT |
| It's becoming harder and harder to enforce prohibition on other countries. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Kickaha on August 17, 2001 at 12:04:12 PT |
| You know, FOM, I've always marveled at how such a tiny nation could have such an enormous impact on music. Not only is Reggae a worldwide phenomenon, but it's predecessor Ska has gone through three waves of popularity, with the current peak just past. Rap can be traced directly to Dancehall. Even if you've never listened to Reggae, you've heard music that was influenced by it. Obviously there is no proof of a relationship between this ongoing creative explosion and a fondness for Ganja, but it makes you wonder. Ganja for me facilitates entry to a creative state, rather than directly influencing creation, so I wouldn't have a hard time believing it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by TroutMask on August 17, 2001 at 11:55:39 PT |
| "If America is so much for democracy then to deny us certification because of this is in flagrant breach of such principles" So what else is new? A fact: Some country somewhere will be decriminalizing marijuana soon regardless of any US spitting and whining. I'm hoping for Canada; I'm hoping the Canadian Supreme Court nullifies marijuana prohibition after it hears arguments beginning in November 2001. The more countries who join the decrim bandwagon, the more will be inclined to join. It's all over, USA. Get over it. Your stupid, inhumane racist anti-productive drug laws are being collectively flushed by the rest of the world and there's nothing you can do to stop it. -TM [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Patrick on August 17, 2001 at 11:40:44 PT |
| "The Commission's recommendation is in keeping with the sentiments of the Jamaican people. If America is so much for democracy then to deny us certification because of this is in flagrant breach of such principles," he said." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 11:31:06 PT |
| I am so mad about what we are trying to do to those sweet people of Jamaica. I think that I could sit down for hours and listen to them talk and listen to their wonderful music created " Under the Influence " God Forbid! If money isn't our God then stop using it to manipulate other countries. If you have to buy your friends then they won't be friends. Enough or I might say too much! [ Post Comment ] |
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