Jamaica seeks to cash in on marijuana

Slow economic growth has leaders eyeing a herbaceous source of revenue

Jamaica has long bemoaned its reputation as the land of ganja. It has enforced draconian drug laws and spent millions on public education to stem its distinction as a pot mecca. But its role as a major supplier of illicit marijuana to the United States and its international image — led by the likes of Bob Marley, whose Rastafarian faith considers smoking it a religious act — have been too strong to overcome.

Now, its leaders smell something else: opportunity.

Having watched US states such as Colorado and California generate billions of US dollars from marijuana, Jamaica has decided to embrace its herbaceous brand.

Rather than arresting and shunning the country’s Rasta population, Jamaican authorities will leverage it. Beyond decriminalising the possession of small amounts of marijuana last year, Jamaica has legalised the use of medical marijuana, with its ultimate sights set on “wellness tourism” and the font of money it could bring.

And for good reason: Jamaica has one of the lowest economic growth rates in the developing world, a striking contrast to the global success its citizens have enjoyed in the worlds of sports and music.

So, having done just about everything experts say a stupendously indebted nation should do — sticking to austere fiscal plans, adopting prudent macroeconomic policies and creating a friendly climate for outside investors — Jamaica is adding marijuana to its arsenal.

The new world order has brought together an odd assortment of characters. At a recent conference at a luxury hotel in Montego Bay, besuited government officials and business leaders mingled with pot farmers and Rastafarian leaders including “First Man”, who kicked off the conference with a speech on the global benefits of ganja.

“We are talking about a plant that bridges the gap between all of our relationships,” First Man, barefoot with a Rasta scarf around his neck, said to a packed room. “Our planet needs this relationship to happen.”

As the head of a Rastafarian village in Jamaica, First Man was speaking at the first CanEx conference, a gathering of government and local leaders trying to figure out just how the country can most effectively make this about-face, without neglecting international law.

No one is really clear how the industry will evolve. Technically, the United Nations convention on drugs — which requires nations to limit the production, trade, use and possession of them — prevails, meaning that outright federal legalisation is illegal.

But with the US and Canada edging toward permitting the drug’s use, Jamaica wants in, too.

“Jamaica for so long has been associated with this plant,” said the conference organiser, Doug Gordon. “Now, it’s a business. An opportunity. One that can change the future of this country through jobs and income. One that can change our GDP.”

Of course, all of this has stoked fears of inequality for poor rural farmers, who have long been targeted for doing exactly what the country is now trying to take advantage of. Many fear that big money will come in, monopolise the industry and leave those on the margins exactly where it found them.

Iyah V, a Rastafarian leader who sits on the nation’s nascent licensing authority, summed up concerns by pointing to the many suits and relatively few Rastas at the conference.

“If we are not organised and are not helped, the possibility exists for the ganja industry to become the next tourism, coffee or sugar industry, where our people are used as common labourers and the wealth is confined to a few,” he said.

Jamaican leaders say they are trying to heed the warning. Most agree there should be access to capital for small farmers, as well as breaks on expensive licensing fees and other upfront costs. But those, too, are yet to be determined. Even entrepreneurs agree that the playing field is not a level one.

Varun Baker, a well-travelled and educated entrepreneur, has started Ganjagram, an application with which users can read up on the laws regarding marijuana in Jamaica. Ultimately, he hopes to make it something of an Uber for marijuana smokers, allowing clients to order and select products for delivery through their phones.

He is searching for partners and investors to help fund his ambitions, but the pitch remains difficult. “There is lots of grey area,” Mr Baker said. “People don’t really understand what the government is doing.”

Kadamawe Knife, a Rastafarian academic, spent a significant portion of his presentation at the conference bashing the Cannabis Licensing Authority, the government’s regulatory apparatus. “How do we make money on this? What is the growth strategy?” he asked, directing his questions to a member of the licensing authority who was awkwardly sharing the stage with him. “I have asked and I haven’t seen anything.”