‘Finally, Jamaica is catching up with the world’
JAMAICA Observer online readers have welcomed news about the pending formation of a ganja growers’ association. However, many are peeved that the development is only happening now because of the legalisation of the weed in some parts of the United States. The launch of the association, as reported by the Observer yesterday, will take place on January 18 at the historic cannabis stakeholders forum at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Here are some edited comments:
HILLTOP VIEW
When do we decriminalise ganja and free up the police and the courts? Some serious criminal activities need their attention!
Really
Finally Jamaica is catching up with the world. I cannot understand why we have to be the last always to implement what we believe in.
Does this mean that we can all have one ganja plant in our yards to soak the leaves in white rum or to make tea with the leaves? Now the Rastafarian group can relax and smoke their weed at their functions unharmed, as the Christians do with wine in their church.
Let us hope that this can be our saving grace, where industries can again flourish and people employed. That would eliminate the stringent taxes on the people due to the increase in employment, and crime would decrease. There would be less poverty, fewer young people idle on the streets, a more educated population and the indigents can be taken care of properly. I cannot wait for this to begin and put Jamaica back on the map with dignity where it belongs.
Karma Wins
Signal from the North sparked the fire to our locals… wow!
Ise
I wonder if this commission includes current producers, distributors and retailers?
Calabash Man
What is the position of the minister of health? This train is leaving, is he on board?
Sondon
Now what about people in the Diaspora who have lands in Jamaica, and would want to be a part of this new development and association but cannot make it to the forum on such short notice? What contact numbers are available to them so that they can get involved?
Yes, it’s about time we wake up and smell the coffee! This is a plant just like sugar cane. Not everyone will grow it.
woodpecker
Glad to hear this. We should have done this 30 years ago instead of waiting for the mighty USA to set the precedent.
Rodni
The ganja growers I know look nothing like these people . Poor Jamaica.
Reflector
@Rodni: Do the growers you know have the authority, power and knowledge of how to legitimise this? If so, why weren’t they proactive?
Elijah
If you don’t have money, yuh don’t have a voice in dis country. Look how many poor people did a seh di same thing long time! We will end up being minnows in an industry of sharks. Anyways let me not sound pessimistic, I hope we can get it RIGHT.
Travellingman
Now that Massa is thinking that it may be ok. If the Government gets its claws in the matter it will go the way of the coffee, banana, sugar and other products that we could be producing. Then we will have to import the morning fix for too many of our young men and, sadly, women.
Phillip Cole
Jamaica is a hypocritical country fi true. When poor people were saying legalise the herb, the politicians say NO WAY! Now that the mighty US a free up the herb and there is money to be made by upper class people, suddenly it’s all systems go! When will we be awakened from our slumber and overthrow these useless political leaders?
Ladyjade
The thing that jumps out at me the most is that finally they are pushing for the country to commercialise ganja and as usual, the big shots are already scheming to lock out the ‘small man’ from reaping any benefits… smh. The wealth of this country will always remain in the hands of a few.
lascelles charlton
Just don’t allow the smoking in public space.Then you can run with it.
veejay
Lawks, here it comes! Praedial laceny a go tun up! There are some persons with the mindset that a poor people fi benefit and now those who have it want run things. Do beg yuh, engage reps from every class so this venture can be a success.