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| Jamaica Should OK Marijuana, Group Urges |
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Posted by FoM on August 19, 2001 at 12:05:24 PT By Yves Colon, Knight Ridder Source: San Jose Mercury News 
Marijuana is as much a part of Jamaica's culture as reggae and Blue Mountain coffee, and a national group wants it to become just as legitimate. The aptly named National Commission for Ganja -- the Hindi word for marijuana -- recommended last week that the government legalize the private use and possession of small amounts of marijuana.Between 20 percent and 40 percent of the country's 2.6 million people are believed to smoke marijuana, many openly. Not everyone is happy, however. ``It is a welcome step, but it is far short for a country where thousands of people use ganja,'' said Paul Burke, a high-ranking member of the ruling People's National Party. ``It's part of the culture.'' It is by no means certain that Jamaica will change its marijuana laws -- several top government officials have already voiced their emphatic disagreement -- but the commission's suggestion to legalize the substance is part of a growing clamor throughout the hemisphere to ease strictures against it. Restrictions easing More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this weekend's Seattle Hempfest, billed as the largest pot-legalization rally in history. The Hawaii Legislature has approved the medical use of marijuana, and voters in eight states have done the same. The Canadian government last month approved medical use of marijuana. The United States is watching warily to see whether Jamaica's Parliament will adopt the commission's recommendations. Jamaica, a major producer and exporter of marijuana, could risk losing U.S. certification -- and millions of dollars in American foreign aid -- if Washington decides the island is no longer cooperating in the war on drugs. Richard Smyth, the chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica, made clear Washington's longstanding position on the issue. ``The U.S. administration does not support the decriminalization of marijuana use,'' he said. ``Whenever Washington reviews the certification issue, they look at a broad range of issues, including interdiction, demand reduction, seizures of drugs, the legal structure and law enforcement efforts in general.'' Law rarely enforced Possession of marijuana is illegal in Jamaica, but the law is rarely enforced and penalties are light. Members of the Rastafarian religion use it openly as part of their ceremonies. The ganja commission wants to formalize what has amounted to governmental benign neglect. In its report, the commission said that used in small amounts, ganja caused no short- or long-term health effects. Penalizing individuals for small quantities of marijuana is ``unjust'' and discredits the entire Jamaican legal system, the report said. ``Ganja offenses have clogged up the court system for years and diverted the police from the real problems, which are crack and cocaine,'' said Burke, a member of the National Alliance for Legalization, a lobby group. ``That's the real threat of Jamaica.'' Prime Minister P.J. Patterson set up the commission nine months ago. Its members -- physicians and academics -- traveled around the island, gauging sentiment. The commission said children should be barred from using marijuana and its public use should remain illegal. It also said, however, that the use of marijuana in religious ceremonies should be allowed. R. Keith Stroup, executive director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, was delighted by the Jamaican commission's recommendations, which he said mirror those from the U.S. Commission on Marijuana back in 1972. Several European countries, Stroup said, already have decriminalized marijuana. ``The U.S. is acting as if this commission's recommendation is unique,'' he said. ``It's only the U.S. that has maintained this silly war on drugs.'' Note: `Ganja' Commission Wants Drug Legalized Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Related Articles & Web Site: US Backlash Against Ganja US Issues Ganja Warning Decriminalise it, Says Ganja Commission Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #2 posted by sueras on January 14, 2002 at 11:19:39 PT:
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| It is in my deepest opinion to say that to legalize Ganja in Jamaica is a bit much, as this can pose many problems especiaally to our youths, as they may be getting the wrong message. I am an 18yr. old A'level student and i had my first use of the substance about 2 wks. ago, i had to be rushed to the hospital because i thaught that i was going to die or mad. This from 4 puffs of the herb. Legalizing the use of it is a bit too much as if not known how to be used properly may cause great damage. I believe that only persons over 21 should be allowed to use the sustace and majorly for Religious purposes. I had no business experimenting with the drug and i would not like anyone to experience what i had.
BIG UP TO ALL THE RASTAS WHO CAN HOLD DEM WEED. ONE LOVE EVERY TIME. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by p4me on August 19, 2001 at 20:49:02 PT:
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| The importance that a Jamaican decision to legalize marijuana is hard to overstate. We all need to do what we can to show Jamaica that there are people here that support their decision. The best way is to show financial support such as tourism and the purchasing of Jamaican goods. For those that drink alcohol, it would not be much of a sacrifice to drink some Jamaican rum and if you could buy 3 or 4 bottles you know that it will not spoil, while at the same time showing an immediate acceptance by some of us for Legalization. We have waited for an opportunity and here it is. We need to show financial support for Jamaica. Also you can show moral support by posting to http://www.Jamaicaobserver.com It is hard for things to change if everybody does nothing. Do something. Buy Jamaican. [ Post Comment ] |
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