Chat-bout.net - Not Every Jamaican Smokes Ganja

Not Every Jamaican Smokes Ganja

“All fish nyam man, but a shark one get di blame" is a popular proverb in Jamaica which speaks to stereotypes and prejudices.

There is a stereotype about Jamaicans and ganja use. Meck wi set di record straight once and for all - GANJA IS ILLEGAL IN JAMAICA! It is illegal to be in possession of it, it is illegal to smoke it, it is illegal to buy it and to sell it. So not every Jamaican smokes ganja.

In Jamaica it is a minority of the population which smokes ganja. I have lived in Jamaica most of my life and the first time I actually eyeballed ganja, I was 26 years old. And as for Rizzla, a popular brand of paper used to roll a ganja spliff… at 27, when a visitor to Jamaica asked me to go buy some Rizzla at a streetside vendor, I thought Rizzla was a type of candy. But of course the stereotype exists, that all Jamaicans smoke ganja.

I remember teaching a group of foreign students, visiting Jamaica from the USA, and a young guy said “ I am sooo disappointed in Jamaica. I thought it was gonna be like one long beach with everybody in shorts and swimsuits smoking grass.” Is that dunce or what?

On my first week in Europe, I was approached by so many persons, who once they discovered I came from Jamaica wanted to get into some kind of drug trading with me, because I surely ‘must know where di good ganja grow.‘ Most refused to believe me when I said I had only seen ganja once, and I had never used it. When I insisted that it was illegal in Jamaica, many laughed and asked “but doesn’t it grow wild all over the sidewalks in Jamaica? Doesn’t everybody have a little plot in their backyard?

For many, the association with ganja is inextricably linked to rastafarianism. It’s most internationally recognized proponent, Reggae legend Bob Marley, was often openly seen smoking a ganja spliff. Rasta’s also use ganja as part of their holy sacrament and it is known as ‘ the weed of wisdom’, said to have been found on King Solomon’s grave. Now here’s the shocker for many.

Just as many rastafarians don’t wear locks, and many who wear locks are not rasta, many rasta’s don’t smoke marijuana, and many who smoke marijuana have no connection to rasta. For many, locks is just a hairstyle and for others it is a door opener, helping them to gain acceptance in certain areas, locally and internationally, especially entertainment.So put the stereotypes to rest. Not every Jamaican smokes ganja and ganja is illegal in Jamaica.