UWI researcher makes the case for legitimising marijuana
THE popular sentiment on the issue of marijuana, more popularly called ‘ganja’, is changing, particularly among the younger generation.
Dr. Kadamawe Knife
This was evidenced by an enthused turnout of University of Guyana (UG) students for a lecture on ‘Establishing Ganja Enterprises in the Caribbean: A Business Model Approach’.
The event yesterday was facilitated by the UG Faculty of Social Sciences and was held in the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) at the Turkeyen Campus.
The marginalised substance and its social ramifications are being increasingly countered by moves in several countries to legalise its use, based on scientific and revenue advantages, especially in the agro-industry.
It was on the agro-industrial benefits that Dr. Kadamawe Knife grounded his arguments and emphasised the need for public awareness.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Knife, who secured his doctorate in sustainable development, acknowledged that Caribbean Governments are unlikely to legalise marijuana anytime soon.
However, he posited that the public has to be aware, so that when Governments are ready, so are their peoples.
Also the holder of a Masters Degree in Economics, Knife had harsh words for Caribbean Governments and called their actions to move independently of North America as “cowardice” excused by international politics.
“We need that Caribbean-ness,” he argued.
United front
Knife pointed out that it was this united front that allowed an effective battle against slavery.
But he said, unfortunately, the Caribbean is now subjecting itself to slavery of a different kind, that of economic slavery.
The lecturer and researcher at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus made reference to the initial moves, by his native Jamaica, to legalise marijuana that were abandoned on the warning of the United States (U.S.), which expends billions on containing the use of the substance, not to do so.
“Now what we have is the U.S. itself legalising ganja. Why are we jumping to the whims and fancy of North America, the reality is that it is sheer cowardice on the part of Caribbean politicians,” he declared.
Economic benefits
Knife reiterated the economic benefits that can be derived from pursuing marijuana as a commodity in agro-enterprise.
On that note, he underscored the need for Caribbean countries, with potential similar to Guyana, to rethink its agro-industry strategy and the sector’s direction.
Knife contended, too, that the current age is an information one, in which more and more young people are open to reconsidering positions on several issues that have, traditionally, been treated as pariahs in development discussions.
According to him, Guyana has already made a name for itself in the agriculture sector across the Caribbean Region and is poised to lead in greater success in diversifying the agro-industry, particularly to the benefit of rural populations in facilitating poverty reduction.
He said Guyana’s success in the agro-industry can, undoubtedly, be boosted by the hemp plant, which produces marijuana, a fact backed by significant data.
“The data that says the agro-industry will grow by going this route is encouraging,” Knife said.
He is scheduled to speak next in Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda. He has already taken this campaign to St. Lucia and St. Vincent and is part of several UWI committees addressing the issue at a broad regional level.
(By Vanessa Narine)