Home - The Star
April 27, 2015
Star News



 

Marijuana research not to be limited to medical exploits

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

Following a symbolic legal ganja-planting ceremony held at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona, last week, the nation appears to be ecstatic for what is largely seen as a wide range of fruitful opportunities just on the horizon.

Following the enactment to the Dangerous Drugs Amendment) Act 2015 brought into effect last week, which decriminalises the possession of small quantities of ganja, the Government of Jamaica has issued a licence to the university to grow ganja for research purposes.

THE STAR caught up with Dr Jephthah Ford, who appeared to be a champion of marijuana research, not only in the medical sphere, but in industry too.

Traditional medicine

"It is going to impact traditional medicine in a big way. For example, breast cancer is one of those diseases that was slowed down by the use of ganja and it would be interesting to find out exactly how it does that," Dr Ford explained. "The fact than ganja grows very well in Jamaica and our resin tends to be a lot more powerful than the rest of the world's, it means that if we handle it in the right way, we can lead in the industry. There is tremendous possibility for export and industry development. There are tremendous opportunities that await us. It will be like another bauxite again."

The medical doctor also noted that there is also room for sociological research.

"We can also do sociological research. We can ask what it is that drives young men to smoke ganja. Maybe we will find that ganja allows them to escape the realities of their conditions, or is it a rebellion against the morals of society. So there is other research to be done aside from the chemical aspect," Dr Ford concluded.

Thrilled about the new undertaking, several students of the UWI shared their reactions with THE STAR. They appeared to give the new initiative two thumbs up in furtherance of the long-awaited research into marijuana locally.

Decriminalised

"Well for me, in research, it would be a good thing for Jamaica since it's decriminalised," said 19-year-old Samantha Bailey, a social science student. "It's a good move, because it can help in a lot of ways, but because of restrictions and so fourth, it wasn't really used as medicine in Jamaica. If they could cure some stuff with it, that would be good."

"I feel, for the university, it is good, because the university is good in terms of research," said Russanette Dennis, 20. "I think that they can come up with some other things that could be helpful, the social sciences faculty has done well in research. The researchers here on campus have done some pretty cool things, and if they're going to use ganja for medicinal purposes, I think it would be pretty cool, too. We have some brilliant people here. Let's just hope it doesn't turn into anything negative because I don't feel like people should smoke it for recreational purposes."

In the company of her peer, 21-year-old Vanessa Chin concurred. "In the case of the marijuana research, I think it would give us global recognition," she said.

THE STAR then took to the streets to further gauge reactions.

"A ceremony to celebrate something which isn't real is quite displeasing to me," said a 23-year-old man, who did not wish to be named. "It's the same as our flag-raising ceremony in 1962. Yes, a big ceremony, but were we made independent? Evidently not. Ganja should be viewed as at least equal to any other manifestation of nature around us. So instead of a ceremony, they should have shown a video explaining why it was illegal all this time."

The planting took place at the Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex at the UWI campus. The ganja plants are touted as being the first lawful ones planted in the island.

The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 was passed by both Houses of Parliament in February.

Bookmark and Share
Home | Gleaner Blogs | Gleaner Online | Go-Jamaica | Go-Local | Feedback | Disclaimer | Advertisement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us