Jamaica’s Rat Race in Marijuana

There is currently in this world of drugs and medicines, conflict and confusion in the uses of marijuana, known in Jamaica as ‘ganja’.

Physicians and researchers seem to differ on whether to allow restricted use, or complete decriminalisation. Most of the research comes from Colorado, the first state in the USA to remove offensive legislation on the use of Ganja, and is currently selling and distributing the product from warehouses and medical shops. Other entities are racing from one extreme to another, enjoying the benefits of increasing sales and profits, and trying to obtain Government’s approvals for further market exploitation.

This rat race is also trending in Jamaica; with consideration being given to medical shops, psychiatric treatment centres, and other shops and stores willing to offer the product. Amid conflicting views by physicians and their researchers and journalists who have been following the rationale, there is indecision to sell or not.  There are substantial funds to be made using ganja as a product. DrDe-la-Hay who oversees a rehabilitation clinic, and whose opinion I read in a Gleaner article (August 10,2014 ),seems to think the project should be carefully implemented in view of medical consequences for the user.

All data I have seen indicates that a certain age group 10-20, comprising adolescents become addicted with constant use, and lose some percent of their IQ perhaps (5-10%), and might be affected with a mental problem like schizophrenia, contrary to opinions from other consultants at UWI.

Dr Charah Watson (Gleaner August 12, 2014) has warned policymakers to take note of the Colorado system, which has been resulting in unintended consequences for some ganja users. She was particularly wary of persons who are using medicinal excuses to obtain drugs of all types, including ganja, including situations of mild trauma (cuts, bruises).

But the financial rewards are there for the winner of the rat race (keeping in mind that the winner of a rat race is himself a rat). For the resources of ganja in Jamaica are quite substantial, running into billions of dollars. A method has to be found to sell it; to carry it; to measure the strength so that medical and security concerns are satisfied. For every scientist turned businessman, or vice versa, needs an avenue of distribution and sales. A florist with a shop is one such example.

What you’re seeing in these shops is that you’ll have variation in terms of strains of ganja available in the unadulterated plant material. Jamaican Sativa (Cannabis) is stronger than most other countries’ products, in fact twice as strong.So you’re getting the buds, the flowers, that is what is being sold. In some instances, you do have a myriad of products like cookies, chocolate bars and your gums. Some claim to have specific concentrations of particular compounds of interest – being your CBD or your THC; but for the most part, persons who are accessing these products are buying these flowers and buds which are not verified in terms of what is in there.

In referring to where our Ganja plants come from, why do we not go to the source? Why Colorado? Our ganja plant comes from India and lower parts of it are less damaging; they are mostly the leafy parts, which are called ’bhang’’, and is smoked or chewed socially. Like tobacco, but subject to the desire of the user. The flower and upper stem have significant amounts of a drug that causes addiction and other alterations to brain function.

The brain releases serotonin and dopamine, which generate a calming and euphoric feeling. This disrupts the natural levels of these substances, so feelings of depression or anxiety can emerge when the first effects have subsided. Changes in the brains so caused by repeated abuse can affect memory, ability to learn, and concentration; which in all affects the ability to make sound decisions. Can any human being afford to have this happen? I don’t think so! (Alcoholrehab.com)

Written by Ramesh Sujanani

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