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US hypocrisy over ganja an issue for Jamaica

Cayman News Service

Friday 09 Jan 2015

As the moves towards the decriminalization of ganja in Jamaica inches along, one of the leading newspapers in the country has pointed out in a recent editorial that the island nation’s plans to introduce the legal cultivation and a regulated marijuana industry could be undermined by the actions of the US outside its borders. Less than a week ago the US Coast Guard seized more than 4,000 pounds of ganja, with a street value of nearly $4 million, after intercepting a vessel off the south coast of Jamaica and the US Drug Enforcement Agency has made it clear that it does not consider cannabis to have any medical value.

Although ganja is legal in a number of states, mostly for medical purposes, and while the US government has acknowledged and is researching the now broadly accepted medicinal value of ganja, the law enforcement agencies are still fighting the war on drugs and have invested in a number of new vessels, including the USCGC Paul Clark, which was part of the recent Caribbean bust.

In its editorial The Gleaner pointed out that this could have repercussions for Jamaica, and while it “must be mindful” about the US position, it cannot wait on the United States to address its hypocritical drug policies, the paper said.

Jamaica is positioning itself to be the regional leader in ganja production in anticipation of the inevitable, if slow, change that is coming in relation to a drug that many believe is not just harmless to adults but has miraculous health benefits.

While Colorado, which has legalised ganja, is reaping in tax dollars and doctors are prescribing it to HIV patients in California, after seizing over 103 bales of the drugs during the operation, the US Coast Guard is promising more fronts in the war on drugs.

America’s contradictory attitude to ganja is a problem now that worldwide public opinion about the drug is changing. The US was bragging about the seizure as well as its investment in the war that it has been losing for years.

“This is another great achievement for the Paul Clark crew and highlights what the Coast Guard’s newest cutter can do to help reduce the negative impact illicit trafficking has on the United States and our Caribbean neighbours,” said Lt Lloyd Belcher, commanding officer aboard the Paul Clark. “We prevented these drugs from coming ashore, but we also hope the prosecution of the suspected smugglers can begin to dismantle the transnational criminal organisations that profit from these illicit activities,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

https://caymannewsservice.com/us-hypocrisy-over-ganja-an-issue-for-jamaica/

 

 

 

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