THE EDITOR, Sir
I TOO did read the coverage you gave to Dr De La Haye's assertions about a link between ganja and violence, but, unlike you, did not think it worthy of a response - at least not what he was reported as saying.
Your editorial on Sunday has elevated it to a status that it does not deserve.
BASELESS RUMOUR
May I remind you that the very reason why ganja was listed as a prohibited substance for the first time in 1912 was a baseless rumour that it was the cause of male East Indians murdering their wives.
This, despite the Indian Commission Hemp Report of 1894. Subsequent measures criminalising the use and possession of ganja have followed the same pattern, ignoring such studies as the La Guardia Report in New York and the Rubin and Comitas research in Jamaica, not to mention a plethora of others across the world. If ganja "exacerbates aggressive behaviour", one could argue that a good meal, by increasing energy levels does the same.
PERSONALITIES
In the absence of the full statement of Dr. De La Haye, I prefer to believe that he must have qualified the link he is alleged to have made by limiting it to some psychosis-prone personalities. If, indeed, he did, then his suggestion would not, as you suggest, run counter to the Report of the National Commission on Ganja, which proferred evidence that such reactions were possible.
If, however, he did not, and instead intended his statement to apply generally to the entire population of users, then what your editorial should be calling for is not a "renewed debate", but research-based scientific evidence that the murderous rage consuming a significant portion of Jamaica's youth population is linked to ganja. Of course, such research would have to rule out Kentucky Fried chicken, water, Bigga, callaloo, ackee and salt fish, Guinness, crack-cocaine and all the other substances that they ingest as daily fare.
I am, etc.,
BARRY CHEVANNES
barry.chevannes@uwimona.edu.jm
