Gleaner /Don Anderson Poll - Majority oppose relaxing of ganja laws

DESPITE GROWING support among Jamaicans for the decriminalisation of ganja for personal use, the majority are still opposed to the relaxation of the laws that would make this possible, according to the findings of the latest Gleaner/Don Anderson poll.

At the same time, Jamaicans are generally opposed to the growing and exportation of the herb.

In the poll conducted between August 14 and 28, with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 persons, Anderson found that 58.3 per cent of Jamaicans are against the decriminalisation of ganja for personal use. Forty per cent said it should be decriminalised while 1.4 per cent did not respond. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per cent.

The National Commission on Ganja, chaired by Professor Barry Chevannes, recommended that the relevant laws be amended to decriminalise ganja for the private personal use of small quantities by adults, and for use as a sacrament for religious purposes.

Also, the Commission recommended that "in order that Jamaica be not left behind, a Cannabis Research Agency be set up, in collaboration with other countries, to co-ordinate research into all aspects of cannabis, including its epidemiological and psychological effects, and importantly as well its pharmacological and economic potential, such as is being done by many other countries."

In his analysis, Anderson said that strongest support for the relaxation of ganja laws was among the 45-54 age group, and among persons in the upper income categories. Women and older persons in the 55 and over category as well as middle-income persons are among those against the freeing up of the laws which make using ganja a criminal offence.

Anderson pointed out that the Commission's apparent leaning towards decriminalisation for personal use had sharply divided the various interest groups in the society. Some wanted stronger action to hasten the process of freeing up the weed, a move others feared could lead to more widespread abuse with negative implications.

Only 34 per cent of Jamaicans support the growing of ganja while 63.2 per cent are against it. All those in favour of growing the weed also supported decriminalisation. The strongest support came from males but younger persons are also supportive of the notion of legalising growing of the weed, also called marijuana.

There was little support for the exportation of ganja as even those in favour of decriminalisation and the growing of the herb are opposed to its export. Nearly 74 per cent said 'no' to exportation while 23 per cent said yes. Anderson found that women, older persons over 55 years, and middle and low-income persons, were the ones who were particularly opposed to the idea of changing the laws relating to the export of ganja.

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