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Marijuana in Jamaica...
A Little Background

Very few issues are more topical and heated than this, the issue of marijuana in Jamaica. I'll provide you a bit of history but also share with you the current situation here.

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Otherwise called Ganja, Marijuana was brought to Jamaica in the late 1800's by the indentured East Indian labourers. They were brought here to work on the plantations after slavery was ended.

Today, although it is illegal in the country, Marijuana's cultivation is still very much alive and well. In fact, from all indications, it is perhaps at an all time high.

Every now and then we hear reports of "Kingfish", a special police unit, intercepting large shipments or destroying crops and seedlings. By the way, the Jamaican environment and climate is considered a perfect place for the plant to grow.

Should Marijuana be legal in JA?

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Now, contrary to popular belief, the use of marijuana in Jamaica is not unique to Rastafarians.

Before Rastafari began, ganja was used by herbalists in Jamaica as a medicine in teas. It was also mixed with tobacco for smoking.

Rastafarians considers Ganja the "wisdom weed" as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians also use it as a part of a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self.

Rastafarians also say it was found growing at the grave of King Solomon in the Bible. More on religions in Jamaica

ganja_plant_bud_harvest marijuana_plant

Back in 2001, a government commission recommended that marijuana be legalized for personal use by adults -- A move, it was anticipated that the government would have endorsed despite opposition from the United States, which has spent millions to help eradicate the crop on the island. But today, we are still in limbo on that.

So, How strict are laws relative to use of Ganja in Jamaica today?

On a popular online forum, one of my fellow contributors asked the following question:

"I know ganja is illegal there too but according to Wikipedia it's often unenforced. Is this true or not?".

This was my answer:

"You don't want to be caught with it. You are liable to be jailed. True, the police are a lot more lenient these days if you have a only a 'spliff', but I would suggest you not have them use their discretion. I guess police can't venture everywhere, every time, so you will have some room to really "light up".

And by the way, the rastas, who are advocating it to be legal, do smoke it like crazy here! but they will not do it around the lawman. The rest of us don't really mind it."

Another contributor wrote:

"I was just in Jamaica in January...We didn't see too much law enforcement around anywhere. However, we were warned that if you do get nipped for purchasing or possessing marijuana then it won't be pretty. Imprisonment is the penalty for possession. Jamaica is probably the last place where I would want to spend time in jail. The Frommer's guide to Jamaica says that you don't want to experience first had Jamaica's penal system!"

"People were not smoking all around us. We were approached a few times to purchase marijuana but it was subtle. Definitely no bus drivers pulling over to smoke a joint. But that may also depend on where you are going and where you are staying too. We stayed at the Sandals resort and they have a pretty big reputation to uphold."

So again, the question, Do you personally think Marijuana should be legal in Jamaica? Share your views here!

legal bud at herbalsmokeshop.com


Make sure you don't miss these other informative pages about Jamaica.

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Should Marijuana be Legal in Jamaica!

What's YOUR take?

There are several views. What if it is? What if not? Will it make any difference? How would Jamaica be impacted?

Enter A Title

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors like yourself...

Legalize it? Why not  starstarstarstarstar
God made earth, plants, mountains, hills, ocean, everything. Man cannot make marijuana illegal. Man cannot imprison someone for smoking it if god created ...

let the marijunana flow  starstarstarstarstar
IT should be legal, its jamaica!!!! like it explains itself...Like bob marley says when it hits you feel no pain!!!

The government should stop wasting ...

Yes, marijuana should be legal in Jamaica.  starstarstarstarstar
Marijuana is legal in some States in the US for medical purposes.

In California for example, a marijuana superstore just opened. I would like to know ...

Embracing the HERB not the SO CALL"drug"  starstarstarstarstar
As a girl growing up in Jamaica I remember days my granny would make me ganja tea to take away my coughs, fever and ear infections.

I can't say if ...

Yes, Ganja Should be legal  starstarstarstarstar


Yes it should be legal because no matter what, they are not going to stop everyone who smokes marijuana.

Also it wouldn't be fair for the ones ...

The Big Tree (Marijuana)  starstarstarstarstar


The tree of the marijuana has been brought by JAH, the almighty.

He told us here is the green grass for you to prosper. I'm French, but this ...

Make (Marijuana) Ganja Legal  starstarstarstarstar

Make it legal!! It will add 10 billion dollars a year to the economy.

Think about it, tourism is a 2 billion a year industry as it is. Follow ...

Yes,marijuana should be legal- everywhere  starstarstarstarstar
I think that marijuana (weed) should be legalized everywhere!

Its fun and I’ve never heard of anyone getting hurt because they smoked it before.
So ...

Marijuana should definitely be legal in Jamaica  starstarstarstarstar
I think that 'the herb' should definitely be legal, taking in account that it is controlled by the people that use it and the community.



I am ...

Marijuana should be legalized  starstarstarstarstar
Marijuana should be legalized in every country, simply because it is really no different than alcohol or any other legal substance.

Is there really ...

Yes, Marijuana should be Legal  starstarstarstarstar
because people look funny running around stoned

Jamaica and Canada should both legalize marijuana  starstarstarstarstar
I personally think that Jamaica and Canada should both legalize marijuana because it is a lot less harmful than most other drugs!

In Jamaica being such ...

Legalize It  starstarstarstarstar
Yeah. If something makes you happy why not do it? Its not gonna hurt anyone to just sit in your own place, mind your own business, and smoke your own spliff....

The Good and Bad of Marijuana  starstarstarstarstar
In my personal opinion I don't believe that marijuana should be legalized. Reason being it is not being used for the right purposes by those who use it....

Marijuana in Jamaica: It will be legal  starstarstarstarstar
Cannabis (marijuana) was never illegal in Jamaica until the twentieth century.

Spured on by the marijuana tax act of 1937 in the USA, if you consider ...

Marijuana should be legal, here are the reasons  starstarstarstar
It should be legal!

The only reason cannabis is illegal in the world is because it threatened the timber industry in the early 1900's so a business ...

Legalize weed  starstarstarstar
Yes, I am just a student in the state of California but I believe that it should.

Not because of what the drug does to you but because of how well ...

Marijuana in Jamaica: It Should be Legal Worldwide  starstarstarstar
I believe ganja should be legal worldwide. I really think that if the best weed in the world was, for example, in Ireland, then it would be legal.

But ...

Marijuana in Jamaica: Legalize It!  starstarstarstar
Herb is a thing the creator put here for our purpose. How can man criminalize something not created by him but by the creator?

It is natural..should ...

Don't Legalise Marijuana In Jamaica!  starstarstarstar

The use of marijuana in Jamaica is wide spread. From youths trying to be in on the in crowd, to Rastas who claim they use it for religious purposes....

Yes, Legalize Marijuana Everwhere  starstarstar
Marijuana should not only be legalized in Jamaica, but all over the world.

Marijuana is a non-harming drug. It’s a beautiful drug. Some argue it destroys ...

marijuana should be legal everywhere  starstarstar
life would be a real draaaaaaaag without the highs of this special little plant. In fact, for that matter, marijuana should be legal everywhere, not just ...

YES, Marijuana should be legalized ALL OVER THE WORLD  starstar
If everyone became Rastafarian this world would be a much nicer place.

Legalize Marijuana in Jamaica  starstar
YES IT CURES EVERYTHING!

I'm sitting in the same seat in Canada  Not rated yet
About 7 or 8 years ago the Canadian government began the motions to legalize marijuana but was halted because the US government threatened to stop trade....

A truth that MUST be realized by all.  Not rated yet
A "Drug" in my opinion is something that was manufactured by man.

Marijuana is a "PLANT" that was created with this planet like all other life. Marijuana ...

legalised the weed  Not rated yet
Yes i think marijuana should be legal in jamaica so that they can used it in the agcultural sector and possibly export it to other countries for medincal ...

Yes, it should be legalized  Not rated yet
I am 15 years old and I already love weed.

I personally think that it should be legalized because its not as bad as everybody claims it to be.

I ...

Marijuana Should Be Legalized  Not rated yet
Marijuana should be legalized for several reasons but I will mention a few.



The commercial properties that marijuana can bring will end oil dependency....

it should be legal  Not rated yet
1) Its a natural plant.
2) Its the biggest cash crop and the most smuggled illegal substance in the world.
3) Its good for many medical aliments, both ...

Cocaine made Miami, so weed can BUILD Jamaica   Not rated yet
If weed was legal it could be cultivated and exported for medicinal purposes, which could make the country's economy a bit better than it is now.




I ...

Legalizing the weed would make things a lot better  Not rated yet
Jamaicans do not like to be pushed around nor held under subjection.

legalizing the weed would make things a lot better where violence related to the ...

Marijuana shouldbe legal in Jamaica and anywhere  Not rated yet
Yes, it should be, and if it grows well in Jamaica and helps the all people not just a few so be it.

I grow my pot for medication out side in Canada ...

marijuana brings income for the poor  Not rated yet
Ganja is a reliable income source for the lower economic groups that are in the greatest need.

When a person can grow a product and sell the fruits ...

Very Much So  Not rated yet
I do think that Ganja should be legal.

For the most part we all as a people should be able to smoke the herb for it does not have the effect as government ...

Yes, This the healing of the nation  Not rated yet
Come on Jamaica.

You already know that over half of the country uses herb. People only get caught in the big cities such has Kingston. And people can ...

Marijuana should most definitely be legalized in Jamaica  Not rated yet
Marijuana should most definitely be legalized, not just decriminalized.

The plant itself is SO prolific throughout the island that it's just not practical ...

I Think Weed Should Be Legal In Jamaica & America  Not rated yet


I think weed should be legal because it would boost the economy in America by an estimated 6 billion dollars.

You can't become addicted to ...

marijuana should be legal, its better than alcohol  Not rated yet




Mary Jane should be legal.

It’s better than alcohol. More crimes are done because people drink and when they appear in court they give alcohol ...

Suprised it's not legal  Not rated yet
I was planning a trip to Jamaica until I found out Cannabis it is still illegal, I don't want to be hassled by cops especially on my vacation.

the world will begin to realize  Not rated yet
The U.S. gives the country 2 mill. for anti-drug campaigns. I read in an article that an estimated 1.5 billion is grown there every year. But what is better ...

Marijuana should be legal everywhere  Not rated yet


The government cannot control this plant, which can grow everywhere anyway.

All prohibition does is cause violence via the drug trade. Cartels ...

Marijuana  Not rated yet


I went to Jamaica in January and we saw security gourds smoking pot!

I think that marijuana should be illegal. But most people don't follow ...

legalize ganja in jamaica  Not rated yet

legalize ganja in jamaica

Here's Jamaica's chance for beating economic morosity.

Legalize and provide government controlled stores where tourists ...

Saying my part  Not rated yet
You and I know weed is illegal in the USA, and it’s because if they tax it we can just grow it anywhere, but seriously, come on what is bad about weed ...

Yes, it should be legal  Not rated yet
I believe marijuana (ganja, pot, weed, etc) should be legal everywhere, not just in Jamaica. Weed never hurt anyone and it does no harm.

The harm ...

Yes, It should be Legal  Not rated yet




It should be.

There is no reason for alcohol to be legal and marijuana to be illegal.

It is absurd and based upon archaic notions.
It ...

Yes, but try it before  Not rated yet



I think that you should try it before you make a decision because you will change your mind.

Also you should get 20 people, 10 who smoke ...

I know weed will be legilized some day  Not rated yet


I mean like why not it is not that harmful if u smoke 2-3 times a week.

My friend smokes weed and he was in fkn Harvard which was spectacular,...

Yes, Legalize it  Not rated yet
I think that Marijuana should be legalized al round the world.

I don’t see the harm in it. I’ll share with you some stats I read on some add on an ...

Yes, Legalize It  Not rated yet
Smoking weed is like owning a gun, its legal for some but not for others. Responsible people should be allowed to smoke it if they want to.

legalize the weed in Jamaica!!!!!  Not rated yet
Yes I think weed should be legal in Jamaica, even if it’s not in the U.S.

It maybe bad to some people, but to others it can help them so much, and I ...

Yes, It should be legal  Not rated yet
Yes, marijuana should be legal in Jamaica!!!!!!! And in the USA too please and thank you.

it should be legal everywhere  Not rated yet
To tell you my opinion I think that it should be legal everywhere.

It doesn’t really harm your body that much. Think about all the other drugs that ...

Marijuana In Jamaica  Not rated yet
I believe that if marijuana is being used by religious groups in Jamaica that it should not be illegal.

Catholics drink wine in religious ceremonies,...

Why not legalize it?  Not rated yet
Why shouldn't weed be legal in Jamaica?

At the very least it should be decriminalized the way it is in Amsterdam. Not being able to smoke a spliff ...

Growing your own stuff  Not rated yet
I am just getting started with the pot growing thing, its awesome to grow your own stuff!

good luck

Marijuana should be legal!  Not rated yet
OF COURSE MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL IN JAMAICA, is that a rhetorical question?

It is the perfect place to grow it. The weather is perfect for marijuana ...

Yes, Leglize it Everywhere  Not rated yet
Marijuana is a great contribution to this world. Not only for spiritual experiences and recreational thoughts but most of all, its the only thing that ...

Make Ganja legal  Not rated yet
I say to legalize it, let the poor rise up and make some money growing ganja and let the rich make more money by having more tourists come to Jamaica and ...

Legalise it Everywhere  Not rated yet
It’s awesome and I enjoy it much more than alcohol...even though it’s illegal.
I find it much easier to get hold of than alcohol as well.

But in all ...

Yes, it should be legal in Jamaica, better yet global  Not rated yet
First off it was given to man as a dietary food for his or her means to survive, and there are many other benefits from it – health wise and spiritually....

Legalize the Weed  Not rated yet
I think it should be legalized all over the world not just Jamaica.

I’m not a smoker but know a lot of people who do and I am a regular visitor to Jamaica ...

Yes, Cannabis should be legalized  Not rated yet
To me cannabis is not as harmful as alcohol or cigarettes, and is not really classified as a drug.

Cannabis is a herb. To me a drug is something that ...

Legalize it around the world  Not rated yet
Not just in Jamaica, but around the world how can god grown plant be a drug?

A drug is normally made in labs with chemicals not grown from the earth....

Tax  Not rated yet
If marijuana was made legal, wouldn't the government just stick a load of tax on it eventually?

It would be nice to walk past a copper with a phat ...

Legalize Marijuana  Not rated yet
Alcohol and tobacco is a lot more more dangerous then ganja- that is a fact.

The only thing that keeps it illegal are all the lies that says it's so ...

Of Course, Marijuana should be legalized!!!  Not rated yet
I never took drugs of any form in my life, marijuana included. But I think it should be legalized for personal use by adults.

It's not any more harmful ...

Yes marijuana should be legal  Not rated yet
Yes, Because marijuana is a tool used to do many things, its not just a drug like nicotine, which is legal, you can make rope out of it. Rope is a tool,...

Why Not Legalized Marijuana?  Not rated yet
Why Not Legalized Marijuana?
I don’t see why we cant smoke the olde joint every now and then.

I mean tobacco comes from a plant and so does pot. I ...

Marijuana legalization in Jamaica  Not rated yet
I believe that the Rastafarians should be able to smoke as they want.

They believe that it is should be a part of religion and every day life. They ...

Ganja should be legal everywhere  Not rated yet
It should be legal everywhere. If you own land you should be able to grow at least 20 plants for your own use.


Marijuana should be legal  Not rated yet
Marijuana should be legal because it is good for your mind body and soul.

It rocks to be stoned everyday and is such an awesome drug. I like doing ...

Technically, Ganja is already legalized  Not rated yet
At least in the states (I'm not sure about Jamaica or Canada) marijuana is legal. If you have a club card or other identification that says it's legal ...

hell yeah   Not rated yet
omg yes it should but omg i love it

legal ganja  Not rated yet
YES!!!!!! IT SHOULD BE LEGAL! IN THE US AND JAMAICA!
IF CANADA CAN HAVE POT SHOPS SO CAN WE!!

ITS THE GOVERNMENT THAT WONT LET ANYONE HAVE IT EXCEPT ...

& Legal in America Too!  Not rated yet
not just JAMAICA.
It should be legal WEED all over the states as well.

Check it out!  Not rated yet
I've never herd of weed getting people into car accident, but alcohols which is legal, does that. Thats crazy!

Weed lets you relax, be happy man whats ...

Legalise it   Not rated yet
YES!!! It reduce crime and provide income for the poor.

Think about all the great music that came from your country..... if wasn't for the wonderful ...


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