Entertainers encouraged to Invest in Weed Business5 min read

Following the Jamaican Government’s slow move to legalise marijuana locally for mass production and sale, recording artistes are now seeking greener pastures and are taking their business ventures to the US.

In the past few months, at least four reggae acts have gone that route namely Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, Morgan Heritage, Julian Marley and Raging Fyah.

Bob Marley’s son, Julian ‘JuJu’ Marley, had indicated his desire to get involved in the marijuana business locally. However, despite talks that Jamaica is in the process of setting up a medical marijuana industry, progress has been slow, while sections of the US continue to grow in the potentially billion dollar business.

In early January, the Cannabis Licensing Authority granted conditional approval to three applicants for permits to cultivate and process marijuana.

Dancehall artiste Gage, who admitted to using marijuana, told THE STAR that Jamaica will be shut out of the market due to negligence and complacency. The deejay also believes it is already too late for the island to catch up with some competitors who already have their houses in order.

Ninja Man feels the Government is focused on the wrong things.

“Everything that will make Jamaica prosper, they try and stop it. They fight reggae music and they fight ganja, yet they are the two biggest assets Jamaica has. But at the same time, they promote alcohol, which kills the brain cells,” he said.

Ninja Man also warned that the island will lose its culture if the Government does not stand up for its people. He also revealed that ganja products are already making their way in the island from overseas.

He also encouraged recording artistes to continue lending their brands to US-based marijuana companies, since branding the products as Jamaican may benefit the island when the Government is fully able to flex its arm on ganja.