POTENTIAL investors have endorsed moves by the Government to relax laws on the use of ganja. The endorsement came during a two-day summit at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

Speakers at the summit called on the government to continue full speed ahead with the reforms, and disregard apparent concerns from the United States government, which has cautioned the Jamaican government against breaching international drug treaties to which it is a signatory.

“I have noted that already there is ‘pushback’ from officials within the American government,” said principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald, who also chairs the Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Task Force (CCMRTF).

“They have started the pushback, which is what I expected, but I would urge the Jamaican government not be frightened but to stand firm,” McDonald stated.

“The reason behind the manner in which ganja has been treated is also economic, and it shows you why some countries are rich and some countries are poor. It is long-term planning. I firmly believe that there is an economic reason behind the treatment of ganja, and what you are seeing now, the American government has resorted to taking these little baby steps and, I must tell you, very timid steps: You see the ‘pushback’ and it is going to get greater,” McDonald explained.

“He is using very diplomatic language. He is saying that Colorado, Washington DC and so on can go ahead and legalise ganja, but Jamaica signed those treaties and therefore cannot do the same. What a ridiculous argument! I have never heard anything more ridiculous,” McDonald commented on the statements attributed to US assistant secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), William R Brownfield,

Prof McDonald urged Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade AJ Nicholson to consult with his Caribbean Community partners to produce a position paper calling for changes to the international treaties, immediately.

Mayor of Kingston Angella Brown Burke, whose husband Paul Burke, is also a director of the CCMRTF, assured the conference on Wednesday that the government is aware of the concern relating to the illegal distribution and export of ganja, but is committed to demonstrating that it can control the activity.

“We are mindful of the concern related to illegal distribution and export and we are, therefore, committed to demonstrating that, as Jamaica evolves as a world leader in ganja production, we have control over illegal distribution,” Brown Burke told the meeting.

“Our goal, in government, will be to give a clear path to those who wish to participate, and prevent any illegal exporting. A clear path must be fashioned for ganja revenues to be used in ways that will benefit all of the people in Jamaica, not just a privileged few. Profits allocated for the building of schools, repairing infrastructure, and exploring new power possibilities, public education, bolstering our health care system, treatment and care of those with mental health issues are some items that should be discussed,” Mayor Brown Burke said.

Several overseas investors were pre-registered to participate in the summit, titled the Cannabis Business and International Investors Conference. It was organised by the National Alliance for the Legalisation of Ganja and supported by the CCMRTF and the Ganja Future Growers and Producers Association.

— Balford Henry