Jamaica Shares Its Healing Herb

Our last visit to Jamaica was in the spring of 2014. During that trip and all previous Jamaican vacations, we smelled marijuana smoke or saw someone toking up in the distance on pretty much a daily basis.  Occasionally, a local would approach us quietly to see if we had an interest in buying some, but it was seldom out in the open.

That was then. This is now.

This box was full every morning in full site on 7-Mile Beach in Bloody Bay.

Yes, during this visit, we were surprised to find that ‘Mary Jane’ had been let out of the closet. Just about every time we sortied ashore we met someone who was openly selling grass or rolling up a fatty...on the beach, in outdoor restaurants.

We soon learned that in 2015, Jamaica changed their laws concerning the herb. Jamaicans are now allowed to grow up to five plants for personal use.  They are also allowed to carry up to two ounces or less on them at any time. And use of cannabis in public places was made legal for all residents of the island.

The Jamaican government didn’t want to discriminate against tourists, though, especially when more and more states in the USA were allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The new laws say that visitors can also purchase and use ganja on island if they have permission from a doctor. You don’t have a permit from your doctor for medical marijuana use? 

 No problem, Mon.

Jamaica’s Tourism Board and Government put their heads together and set up a business complex on the island’s north shore in the previously quaint town of St. Ann’s*.  Kaya Farms** is a full service center with doctors available to issue you a permit for medical use.  Other offerings include tours of the herb house, a café, a wellness spa, and smoking rooms.  

*The crew of Exit Strategy did not visit St. Ann’s during this cruise.

**Kaya is yet another slang term for cannabis.