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Jamaica Explores Legalizing Marijuana

Sat, Mar 01, 2008 7:41 pm

more: drug policy news, headline news

source: ap.google.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica is considering the legalization of marijuana, a drug revered by members of the island's large Rastafarian population who say smoking it is part of their religion.

A seven-member government commission has been researching possible changes to the Caribbean nation's anti-drug laws, which some police complain are clogging courts and jails with marijuana-related cases, a government official said Friday.

"We have discussed it, and we are preparing a report to present to the prime minister," said Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh.

In 2003, a government commission recommended legalizing marijuana in small amounts for personal use. But lawmakers never acted, saying legalization might entail loss of their country's U.S. anti-drug certification. Countries that lose it face economic sanctions.

A U.S. State Department report Friday said that Jamaica is the largest producer of marijuana in the Caribbean and a major hub for drugs bound for the United States.

Members of the Rastafarian movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s out of anger over the oppression of blacks, have long lobbied for the legalization of the drug that they say brings them closer to the divine.

There are an estimated 700,000 Rastafarians in the world, most of them among Jamaica's 2.6 million people.

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lavalamp

Jun 1 2008, 2:50 pm

If i were jamaica i'd tell the U.S. to go F itself and stay out of other countries affairs. they'd make alot of money if legalizing weed happened, and i live in South fl which makes it cheap for me to go there

kratos26

May 9 2008, 10:17 pm

I havent met any unfriendly dealers all the ones I have met are cool. Thats probably because no one wants to buy from an a**hole. The smart ones keep a low profile have a day job and spread the word through friends. The dumb ones buy lavish cars have no job and tell everyone on the corner they are dealers .

Mr. Vape

Mar 22 2008, 3:01 pm

RE: Iam Yur God

"Full legalization of Marijuana with no tax and no license to grow... No No crime penalties period"

That, my friend, is a million-dollar quote that will be published in a book entitled "The 3,000 Best Things Anyone Has Ever Said"

Very well said!

kinder

Mar 19 2008, 7:26 pm

To Laurie:
It's the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

laurie

Mar 18 2008, 2:57 pm

Tell me, why is it okay to buy a 40 of whiskey go home with your family,and drink till you forget the night before and thats ok. nOT ONLY THAT BUT ITS LEGAL.

Freedom4Jamaica

Mar 10 2008, 1:07 pm

If this issue is just left of to the native Jamaicans then it would pass, but I have a feeling the United States will have the vote turn their way through intimidation and threats.

to below

Mar 8 2008, 12:30 pm

Im sure Jamaica knows how to take care of Jamaica .

lionofyehuda

Mar 7 2008, 9:50 pm

To Hell With Sanctions and embargos that the us gov will hold against Jamaica. If the jamaicans really think about it, the tourism rate would quadruple. Its cheaper to go to Jamaica than Amsterdam. The money they lose from the embargo they will make it up through sales

d-rad

Mar 7 2008, 2:47 am

The World Would Be A Happier And Better Place If Marijuana Was Legal..Cigarettes And Alcohol Should Be Illegal Thats What Promotes Violence And Diseases All Marijuana Does Is Prevent And Cure..Dont Argue Facts Are Facts

Jah!!!

WOW

Mar 6 2008, 11:11 am

I can't believe you asked that question. You don't want to get me started on Religion or the Preaching Business' aka Churches.

:o)

Mar 5 2008, 3:56 pm

Because ...Jesus wants it goofy !

To;WOW

Mar 5 2008, 11:49 am

If money is the root of all evil, then why do Churches ask for it?

Re : Drugs are bad

Mar 5 2008, 5:01 am

"And marijuana is not a drug " ?

Drug : a chemical substance (thc)used in the treatment , cure , prevention ,or diagnosis of desease ..OR TO OTHERWISE ENHANCE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL WELL BEING .

sorry , you got that wrong .

drugs are bad

Mar 4 2008, 9:01 pm

I think that Jamaica legalizing makes us one step closer to legalizing in America. I am a big supporter of the legalization.... so you may wonder... "Why is his name drugs are bad??" Well... Its simply the fact that drugs are bad... And marijuana is not a drug. Its a plant that produces amazing effects! to "you're a bunch of fools" FUCK YOU! Have you taken the time to research the positive effects of marijuana? I think not. So before you judge all of us because we smoke weed... Get to know us. Not that you would, since we smoke weed. But seriously people! Your all tired of getting in trouble for smoking a natural thing. But are you doing anything about it? Do something! Go to your local NORML meetings!

peace.

WOW

Mar 4 2008, 8:35 am

Re: super silver haze #1

On the black market drugs are viewed as money, you're right, thats why people kill for them and steal them, because they are viewed AS MONEY, and money is the root of all evil. If drugs were legal and not everyone who saw them saw a large ammount of cash with them, things would be different.

Re: Iam yur God

Mar 4 2008, 5:52 am

"drug users have the right to put whatever they want into their own body" ?

You do know "drug users" DON't have that right and is what all this legalization is about .....right ?

To.. Iam Yur God

Mar 3 2008, 9:55 pm

"Full Legalization of Marijuana with no tax and no license to grow is what is needed no criminal penalties period"

Now that's what I'm saying...

Iam Yur God

Mar 3 2008, 5:29 pm

Wow @ comment from "You're a bunch of fools", lol what an idiot... the only reason drug dealers have guns is to protect their property from the DEA Cops and others who try and STEAL the drug Dealers belongings.... if it was legal, then they wouldnt have to worry about that now would they???

DEA are the terrorists not the Drug dealers... Think about it... drug users have the right to put whatever they want into their own body, they are not harming anyone but themselves if at all... Victimless crime? how is it a crime at all? Because a govt says so? Illogical/ The drug dealers are just providing something that has a demand, they are not forcing it into people.

Full Legalization of Marijuana with no tax and no license to grow is what is needed. Npo crimal penalties at all period.

super silver haze # 1

Mar 3 2008, 4:00 pm

to wow

in the black market, drugs are just the same as money, if not more

imhigh

Mar 3 2008, 1:52 pm

who ever thinks Legilizing Marijuana is dumb is a stupid ass and they only care about themselves.

All the sick people that have to live in fear of being arrested to use Marijuana like myself should not be in fear of a plant that works wonders with a range of problems.I have a nuerological disease and am slowly and painfully dying.I cant evev grow my meds without worring I am going to have a gun pointed to my head when I wake up or sometihng like that.

How the fuck would you like it if someone in your family had a terminal illness and I came in with a M-16 pointed at there head for taking oxycontin and the likes.Wouldnt fucking like that would you?

To you guys are fool your the fool you douche bag.Go catch a illness that isnt treatable and see how the fuck you like it.

Presidential Status

Mar 3 2008, 1:21 pm

It's historically true.

Look back to the days of alcohol prohabition - it spawned organized crime in this country. It created violence and generated tons of money for the black market.

Alcohol is now legal and you just don't see too many shoot outs between 7-11 and Anheiser-Busch. Thats just not the way legit businesses operate.

Legitimize the industry and the crime will stop.

WOW

Mar 3 2008, 12:41 pm

They are not killing each other over the plant you idiot, they are killing each other over the money. Legalization would take away probably about 90% of the illegal income from the drug legalized. The Root of ALL Evil is MONEY. Not drugs.

KBC

Mar 3 2008, 10:17 am

WEll, I quess im a HUMBOLDT terrorist!! WE grow all day, and i love my USA! Buy local and help local farmers! let the mexicans and jamacans, have there trash... ha ha

SICK OF IT

Mar 2 2008, 10:42 pm

If sanctions are imposed on Jamaica by the U.S. then the Jamaican government should tell the U.S to fuck-off! George Buch and his band of thugs should stay the hell out of others affairs. I am sick of this oppression and dictator, GWB.

Mar 2 2008, 7:54 pm

stuart- people feel the need to kill and/or protect their crops because of greed. some people may try to steal it or even bust them, then they have to keep that from happening. coco plants make cocaine and people pay a high price for it because they "need it" or just want it. mary jane is a similar case. if its legal and affordable, it wouldnt even be something people would kill over, kinda like cigarettes today. (not that i support crack, only greens!)

Stuart

Mar 2 2008, 5:38 pm

"If its just a plant how come people feel the need to kill over it". - Theres been full scare civil wars in Africa over coco plants leading to hundreds of thousands of dead and full scale genocide between certain tribes.

kinder

Mar 2 2008, 5:14 pm

Or: grow your own with the blessing of the state,#3

Jman

Mar 2 2008, 4:48 pm

To "you're just a bunch of fools" - What you say is very true. Sadly the sale of illegal drugs (including cannibus) does lie in the hands of people you really would not want to hang around with or associate with in any way. Unfortunately the anti-drug laws have opened up the door for them to make an absurd amount of money so they take their chances and protect the stash and the cash with weapons.

Imagine you had a choice - 1) you could go and buy your weed from some dealer who also sells heroin, crack nad PCP; who has guns, knives and hatchetmen who would just as soon kill you as look at you. And you pay a premium price although you're not sure what it is that you're getting
or 2) You could go to a government store and buy from an assortment at various prices and quality. You would pay a tax that would help support drug education and addiction counseling and you would have to be a certain age to shop. The laws governing use would be similar to those involving alcohal and penalties for abuse would correspond as well.

To me number 2 makes a lot more sense and would save a lot of innocent people a lot of grief (like there's not enough grief in many lives already). I once heard a wise man say that common sense is very uncommon. Don't you agree?

zippypinhead

Mar 2 2008, 4:40 pm

No You're the FOOL Jacoff...If you legalize it you take away the terrorist element because then anyone with a flower pot could grow their own supply. If the politicians realized that one we'd all be the better for it.

you're a bunch of fools

Mar 2 2008, 3:55 pm

If you legalize weed then you're supporting terrorism. The folks that control the drug trade are evil and will kill for their drugs and anyone involved. Drugs breed evil and everyone knows it. You think smoking a joint is all "cool" but look at the smuggling, the drug gangs and those who must protect their plants with guns and dogs. If it's "just a plant" how come people feel the need to kill over it?

Nalhovito

Mar 2 2008, 11:23 am

It's time that the Jamaican government take into consideration the needs of the Jamaican people. The good part of the nation's population practices Rastafari, which uses the cannabis plant for religious purposes. There has been too many arrests and too much resources wasted on trying to convict offenders under the current drug policy. More so than legalizing marijuana on the island, I think the Jamaican government should look into reforming domestic drug policies. The United States should follow this example and stop the "War On Drugs" that is eating away at every social and economic level.

kinder

Mar 2 2008, 6:55 am

NOTE:
If action is taken to legalize
it,s not for the benefit of the UGLY AMERICAN

Legalized or not

Mar 2 2008, 6:22 am

Jamaica is a shit hole. Good pot, but they try to rip you off, dumb cunt tried to charge me more than what i would pay in the states, just make sure you offer them WAY less, they average yearly income is about $400 american.

US policies SUCK

Mar 1 2008, 9:25 pm

The US govt has to have a say in every govt around the world.
Yet the govt can't even help the Social Security system.
Think about it, you bust your ass to make a living and practice your right to the pursuit of happiness and when it comes to collect on your hard work, you get to find that there is not enough to keep a gerble alive for a month.
WTF?

And we go and put sanctions on countries that are trying to help themselves.
Have a look at Kosavo, they are now free and are asking for what the "US" promised them...SUPPORT...and now there will be a cival war and the people of the "US" will be paying for that as well.

Think I will will move there and finally get some of my hard earned money back from "US of Asshole" govt. that I paid out and volunteered to die for.

Picture the poster of a rat giving the eagle that is flying overhead the finger, as I board my flight out of the US.....SUCKERS!

awareness

Mar 1 2008, 8:05 pm

hell yeah FUCK US SANCTIONS THEY DONT NEED THIS COUNTRIES FUCKIN HELP THIS COUNTRY CANT EVEN SUPPORT THEMSELVE. shit

Mar 1 2008, 8:04 pm

MONEY MON.......

ya know

Mar 1 2008, 8:03 pm

If Jamaica,is the largest producer,then econ.sanctions
be damned,time to make mon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KINDER

awareness

Mar 1 2008, 8:02 pm

hell yeah

wow

Mar 1 2008, 7:49 pm

some news!!!!!!!!!!!

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