Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
We got Kaya now
Marley Natural Cannabis.
News
By Howard Campbell Sunday Observer writer  
February 5, 2016

We got Kaya now

Marley ganja-based products launched in USA

BOB Marley never hid his love for ganja. There are numerous photos of him smoking the weed. He yearned for it in some of his songs, including Kaya.

On Friday, a line of ganja-based products bearing the reggae king’s name was launched in the United States.

They are manufactured and marketed by the Marley Natural company, which operates out of New York.

The products include four brands of Marley ganja (Black, Red, Green and Gold) which are approved by the singer’s family. Each has a different level of potency.

According to a statement from Marley Natural, other products are:

– A naturally derived line of body care products that blend the moisturising power of hemp seed oil with Jamaican botanicals; and

– A collection of smoking, storage and preparation accessories made from sustainably grown American Black Walnut wood and heat-resistant, hand-blown glass.

Tahira Rehmatullah, general manager of Marley Natural, told the Jamaica Observer that response to the line has been “phenomenal”.

“When we think of brands we see Marley Natural as a one of its kind that brings about change. It’s an opportunity for us to educate people on the nuances of cannabis,” she said.

Zack Hutson is director of press for Privateer Holding, a company working with Marley Natural. He said the products were initially launched in California where ganja cultivation and use have been legal for years.

They will also be available in Oregon, California and Washington, other states where ganja is legal.

Marley Natural products could be released in Jamaica by next year, depending on the pace of legislation in the country’s Parliament.

Hutson said the Marley family had hands-on involvement throughout the process.

“They’ve been thinking about doing a cannabis brand for years. His daughter Cedella was very involved in choosing ingredients for the products,” said Hutson.

The Marley strains (as the different brands of weed are known) are naturally (sun) grown by local farmers. Rehmatullah and Hutson were part of teams that visited “hundreds of farms” worldwide, including in Jamaica, to meet with cultivators.

“We spent lots of time in Jamaica in places like Nine Miles (Marley’s birthplace in St Ann) looking at Jamaican ganja. There’s definitely a buzz there,” said Rehmatullah.

Since October 2014, the Jamaican Government has taken gradual steps to decriminalise ganja. Last April, legislation was passed in the Senate allowing persons to use small amounts of ganja without being prosecuted.

In November, the annual Cannabis Cup was held in Negril. Recognised as the largest ganja event of its kind globally, it attracted hundreds of patrons, including Government ministers and prospective investors in the Jamaican ganja industry.

Bob Marley, who died from cancer in May 1981 at age 36, would have been 71 years old yesterday.

 

 

Marley Natural Body Care
Marley Natural accessories.
Marley Natural Venice teaser poster.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Elva Goulbourne, JC 1999 4×800 relay team to be honoured at Penn Relays
Latest News, Sports
Elva Goulbourne, JC 1999 4×800 relay team to be honoured at Penn Relays
March 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Elva Goulbourne, the former Dinthill Technical long jump star and the Jamaica College 1999 4x800m relay team are to be honoured by ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
JCTU raises concern over proposed changes to motor vehicle duty concession
Latest News, News
JCTU raises concern over proposed changes to motor vehicle duty concession
March 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) is raising concerns over the Government's proposal to remove the General Consumpti...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Magnum Dancehall Week celebrates three years
Entertainment, Latest News
Magnum Dancehall Week celebrates three years
March 9, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Magnum Dancehall Week is celebrating three years as a cultural platform highlighting Jamaica’s dancehall culture. What began as an a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Below average rainfall in 2025, despite Hurricane Melissa’s torrential showers
Latest News, News
Below average rainfall in 2025, despite Hurricane Melissa’s torrential showers
Above normal rain predicted for February to April 2026 period
Kelsey Thomas, Online coordinator, thomask@jamaicaobserver.com 
March 9, 2026
Jamaica recorded 5.67 per cent below average annual rainfall in 2025 despite the excessive amount of rainfall experienced in October due to Category 5...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cardiovascular disease more threatening than many believe, Heart Institute warns
Latest News, News
Cardiovascular disease more threatening than many believe, Heart Institute warns
Carlysia Ramdeen, Observer Online reporter, ramdeenc@jamaicaobserver.com 
March 9, 2026
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading health threats to Jamaicans, yet many people still believe it only affects a select group or present...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Man City to face Liverpool in FA Cup quarter-finals
International News, Latest News
Man City to face Liverpool in FA Cup quarter-finals
March 9, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Manchester City will face Liverpool in a blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final, while quadruple-chasing Arsenal travel to Sout...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
West Ham reach FA Cup quarters after Ouattara’s penalty howler
International News, Latest News
West Ham reach FA Cup quarters after Ouattara’s penalty howler
March 9, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—West Ham moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Brentford, who paid the price for ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
King Charles speaks of great challenges facing the Commonwealth
Latest News, Regional
King Charles speaks of great challenges facing the Commonwealth
March 9, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) -Britain’s King Charles says Commonwealth Day is being observed on Monday at a time of great challenge and great possibil...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct