ST ANN, Jamaica — Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson believes Jamaica can “lead the way” in the global ganja trade.

He made the statement during a recent visit to the island.

“I’ve always believed in the power of this plant – and in Jamaica’s extraordinary potential to lead the way,” said Branson, speaking on stage with reggae artiste Jesse Royal at the 4/20 festival put on by Jacana in April.

Branson has strong connections to Jamaica through his record label which signed several top reggae stars. He reminisced on one of those artistes, Peter Tosh, and the singer’s early advocacy for ending the prohibition of ganja.

“We had a label called Frontline. We signed the Gladiators, the Abyssinians, Uroi Aroi, the Mighty Diamonds, lots of wonderful bands. And when Bob Marley sadly died, I flew to Jamaica with the aim of signing Peter Tosh, who I thought was one of the greatest artistes, greatest songwriters, greatest guitarists around. I went to his house, and I knocked on his door and there was no response,” Branson said to the crowd.

“But I thought I saw the curtain move a little bit— anyway, I went and sat in the car in the street. And I sat there for two days. And then finally… Finally, he invited me into his house and he rolled the biggest [spliff] ever,” the mogul added to laughter from the attendees.

Describing the “foot-long” smoke as an initiation of fire, Branson said despite ending up collapsed on the floor of Tosh’s home, he passed the test and signed the singer leading to the release of the Tosh classic, Legalize It.

“The first record he put out… maybe if that record hadn’t come out…we’re celebrating 10 years of the legalisation of cannabis in Jamaica. Without that record, I think it may never have been legalised,” Branson said.

Marijuana is still illegal in Jamaica but, in 2015, the country decriminalised possession of up to two ounces of the herb.

Branson has continued to advocate for responsible cannabis legislation through his work with the Global Commission on Drug Policy.