Move hard and fast on ‘green gold’...Senator wants Jamaica to step up pace to cash in on ganja

One Government senator appeared to suggest yesterday that Jamaica was not moving fast enough to take advantage of the global boom in medicinal marijuana.

But while pushing for local authorities to move faster to enable Jamaica to cash in on the "green gold", Kerensia Morrison has cautioned that vulnerable groups and "the small man" who has been "persecuted" over the years must be protected.

Morrison, who was opening the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate, pointed to the economic windfall experienced in several countries and American states that have moved to decriminalise ganja for medicinal and recreational use.

"It is reported that within two days after becoming legal for recreational use, Canada ran out of cannabis," she said.

"Mr President, what says Jamaica in all of this? Should we consider the awesome opportunities for financial gain and run wid it?" Morrison questioned.

The first-time lawmaker made it clear that she was not advocating for the decriminalisation of ganja for recreational use in Jamaica but pointed out that for decades, the country endured negative international attention because of the illicit marijuana trade. But now, she said, Jamaica has an opportunity to change this reputation into one that is positive by becoming a leading voice in cannabis for medicinal research and its use in pharmaceuticals.

"For its promising implications for medicine, the world needs to see Jamaica as an authority and a leader in medical research in cannabis. So set up the research centres here in Jamaica. Let the world come here, not to get high, but for medical treatment and to discover more about the weed," Morrison suggested.

"This green gold that is cannabis is arguably the most potent medicinal plant, and our island is ideal for its growth. We have the flavour from Portland, the essence from St Ann, the aroma from St Elizabeth, and the cologne from Westmoreland."

DON'T LEAVE OUT THE 'LITTLE MAN'

However, Morrison warned that authorities should not discount the possibility that many young persons would see this as an opportunity to "light up".

"We should exercise due care even as we look at the big dollars raked in by countries that have gone all the way with legalising [ganja] for recreational use. We should also look at their socio-economic status and the contingencies they have in place to deal with issues as they emerge," she suggested.

She warned, too, that efforts must be made to ensure that the "little man" is not left off this lucrative "ganja ship".

"Small traditional farmers, the same ones who were persecuted, the same ones who were seen as worthless and as criminals, must not be pushed aside by those who never believed in it, but who, today, have the big bucks to get into the industry," Morrison said.

But these concerns, she argued, cannot be the reason Jamaica is "lagging".

"We have the authority to put the mechanisms in place to drive the legislation," she insisted.

livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com