The Cannabis Conundrum

[CanhamoMAN]

The cannabis conundrum

Jamaica Observer

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A recently published article out of Grenada refers to a proposal from the Association for Development Agencies in Jamaica, to cultivate and export marijuana for medical purposes "despite it being an illegal drug in all the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries". The proposal as explained by a member, Ms Amsale Maryam, is to involve the youth in agriculture encouraging them to plant marijuana for the pharmaceutical market. Ms Maryam states positively that "by removing the youths from the streets and getting them involved in the cultivating of marijuana, we will not only see a reduction in crime, but there will be a reduction in violent activities. This is the approach we have to take because marijuana can bring in some serious revenue".

Anthony Gomes

In Jamaica marijuana used in the manufacture of medicines is not illegal. This is illustrated by the products pioneered by Dr Manley West and Dr Albert Lockhart, sold under brand names such as Asmasol, Canasol and Cantimol for the treatment of asthma and glaucoma. It must, however, be emphasised that the psychoactive drug Tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) is excluded from the ingredients. THC is believed to be responsible for most of the characteristic psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Research abroad has also resulted in the development of prescription drugs marketed as Dronabinol, a synthetic THC product, and Marinol for the control of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy used to treat cancer and stimulate appetite in AIDS patients. Cannabis is not only illegal in Caricom, but also in the US, Canada and in many European countries. Some states in the US have legalised medical marijuana, but it remains illegal at the Federal level where the Federal Supreme Court has stated: "Marijuana remains in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act because it has a high potential for abuse, a lack of certified safety for use under medical supervision, and currently no accepted medical value."

It should also be pointed out that Jamaica is a signatory to a number of international conventions relating to the control of narcotics that include the Single Narcotics Convention, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. All of which strongly militate against any relaxation of the Jamaican law.

Ganja is already illegally cultivated in Jamaica, facetiously called "Agro 22" and exported in volume through criminal networks. There have been persistent calls for decriminalisation of the drug, even to the establishment of a Ganja Commission which is in a state of suspended animation. Jamaicans oppose the decriminalisation of ganja as reported in two national polls conducted in August 2001 by the Gleaner/Don Anderson poll and the Observer/Stone poll. The Gleaner poll asked, "Should personal use of ganja be legalised?" No, said 58.3 per cent. The Observer poll recorded the same sentiment, in that 48.3per cent said that ganja should not be legalised, that is decriminalised. This clearly indicates that the protagonists are a minority.

The national polls and other expressions of public concern have demonstrated that the majority of Jamaicans do not agree with decriminalising ganja. Ganja is not dangerous because it is illegal, it is illegal because it is dangerous. Apart from the international agreements mentioned earlier to which Jamaica is a signatory, the recent experiences in North America and Europe have caused a review of the harmful potential of ganja that contains THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient. As the designated "Third Border" of the United States where the possession or use of ganja is a Federal offence, and with which Jamaica and Caricom may soon start negotiations for a Free Trade Area, any attempt to decriminalise ganja can only be considered to be reckless.

It is suggested that preparation of the communiqué for the November 27-29 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting be reviewed after taking cognisance of the above information. Particular attention should be given to Ms Maryan's categorical statement that "by removing the youths from the streets and getting them involved in the cultivation of marijuana, we will not only see a reduction in crime but there will be a reduction in violent activities". No evidence is offered to support the view relating to a reduction in crime and violence, where the opposite experience is the reality when ganja is found to be present.

With all of the major export markets - the US, Canada, and the EU - maintaining that cannabis is illegal, there would be no legal market for the drug unless it was produced exclusively for a foreign pharmaceutical company under licence from the Government of Jamaica. This is, however, a very remote possibility. Further, it is not feasible to consider Jamaica, with its high quality sinsemilla, as a possible legal supplier for the cogent reasons stated above.

Prudent consideration should be given before including this item on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, as clearly the cultivation of marijuana as the panacea for youth unemployment while creating high-paying jobs and bringing in "some serious revenue", does not constitute a beneficial role for the development of the Caribbean. Why not engage the youth in harvesting West Indian Sea Island Cotton that has a bright future for greater success in the international market, and now sells for a significant price to Switzerland without any value added. The cotton harvest is great, but the workers are few!

[grower1977]

A recently published article out of Grenada refers to a proposal from the Association for Development Agencies in Jamaica, to cultivate and export marijuana for medical purposes "despite it being an illegal drug in all the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries". The proposal as explained by a member, Ms Amsale Maryam, is to involve the youth in agriculture encouraging them to plant marijuana for the pharmaceutical market. Ms Maryam states positively that "by removing the youths from the streets and getting them involved in the cultivating of marijuana, we will not only see a reduction in crime, but there will be a reduction in violent activities. This is the approach we have to take because marijuana can bring in some serious revenue".

Um artigo publicado recentemente em Granada, se refere a uma proposta das Agências Associadas para o Desenvolvimento na Jamaica, para cultivar e exportar maconha medicinal, "apesar de ser uma droga ilegal em todos os países da comunidade caribenha (Caricom)". A proposta como explicado por um dos membros, a Sra. Amsale Maryam, pretende envolver jovens na agricultura, os encorajando a plantar maconha para o mercado farmacêutico. Sra. Maryam afirma que "removendo os jovens das ruas e os colocando no trabalho de cultivo de maconha, nós não iremos ver só uma redução do crime, mas sim uma redução das atividades violentas em geral. essa é a abordagem que devemos seguir, porque a maconha pode nos dar muito retorno".

[White smoke]

Cultivo de maconha para inclusão e desenvolvimento social.

Ponto para os jamaicanos de olhos vermelhos.