Clearing the ganja smoke

Ronald Mason, Contributor

Ganja, weed, herb, cannabis, marijuana, the same plant by any name, on being lit, produces a pungent smoke, and other effects. The benefits and dangers of this plant are now very topical.

The United States and Canada seem to be in a hurry to make access, use and social acceptance on par with some European countries. What is most ironic is we at home have had the world's most renowned quality and never-ending quantities, yet we quibble daily as to how it should be utilised.

Colorado had 600-plus applications in seven days for persons wishing to trade legally in the matter. Rationing has become a feature because of unexpectedly high demand.

The Ganja Law Reform Coalition in Jamaica reports that it is the third most popular recreational drug on the planet behind only alcohol and tobacco, and is used by millions. More than 20 states now roll a little spliff and take a whiff. Ah, one draw. We, however, continue to be in denial as to the income potential and great public acceptance. Criminalisation remains the order of the day.

We raise the issue of harmful health effects. Yet there is no hard, persuasive data that the use of ganja is a gateway to hard drugs usage, not much evidence of negative psychosis or reduction in fertility rates, etc. The Lancet, the well-known and respected British medical journal stated, "The smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to health ... it would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a threat than alcohol or tobacco."

THC buzz

The use of ganja is widespread. People seek the effects of the THC found in the weed to induce a high. The same buzz, high, is sought from the use of alcohol. However, ganja is not toxic, alcohol poisoning and death are more likely. In response to our laws we are reaping immature ganja plants and thus in danger of losing our pride of place as the source of the preferred weed.

It is widely known that ganja tea offers medicinal value, devoid of all the scientific processing which precedes medication such as cannasol. Those of us who know the difference between boiling tea and drawing tea will understand the ganja preparation process. Soaked in another Jamaican staple, white rum to wet the brow or to take a small wineglass to relieve a malady is another well-known use in our society.

Let us stop fooling ourselves about ganja. Legislators need to find a way to deal with those long-ago signed treaties that still bind us. We need to get real and seriously and urgently investigate all the economic potential of ganja as a serious analytical exercise. The 'black market' (better yet, unregulated enterprises) continues unabated. Crime and corruption (police, soldiers, ports, traders) are daily features of our lives. If we legalise ganja, I would not be surprised if our productivity levels were to rise upon the release of entrepreneurial activity. Government would do well to regulate, tax, control and educate the society and visitors alike as to how they may partake of this crop to be found growing in every parish of our country.

What would the future hold for a Jamaica with legalised cannabis? Where would the disciples come from in the search for the 'appropriate business model' designed to cash in on what we hope would be insatiable demand for the best cannabis in the world?

It is more likely that we would have more ganja cultivators than phonecard vendors or newspaper peddlers, each proclaiming that they have had a long family tradition in this agricultural venture.

Of course, the contrary would more likely be true, but just imagine the plight of the constabulary whose help is being sought by the landed gentry to remove the ganja squatters. The mainstream agricultural crops would now be competing for and losing the battle to be grown on fertile lands. The cassava, sorghum and corn would not stand a chance, much to the dismay of Red Stripe, Caribbean Broilers and Jamaica Broilers. Suddenly, we would have a favourable trade surplus with the US, even in the likelihood that all our food was now to be imported. Is it too much jesting to see us asking the tourist to pay for their ganja tours, not in currency, but in food?

The above flight of fantasy was born of the hype to be found in a society that can seriously place on the front page of the national newspaper that an association will be launched to promote the interest of the ganja community. Then again, this is Jamaica.

The Parliament has proposed legislation. When will the matter be resolved? I am a proponent that we should legalise, not just decriminalise. This is as good a place as any to state that I personally do not smoke cigarette or ganja. Now, do not pull back the curtain and ask for a review of the teenage years, as I would be forced to say I may even have inhaled, unlike a former president of the US. Is the smoke lifting?

Ronald Mason is a US immigration attorney, mediator and talk-show host. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and nationsagenda@gmail.com.