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First of all I think it was a good idea by Tony Rebel and team to give the weed more legitimacy by not just promoting the smoking of more herb, which always happened at Rebel Salute and similar concerts anyway. The Herb Curb was in a separate area from the other booths and stalls and further away from the music, but from what I could see there were constant visitors to that area if only to see what it was about.
There were a number of foreigners peddling products at the Herb Curb. A group of Candadians I believe were talking about a chocolate product that they were investing in. Others were displaying what looked to me like hydroponic systems for growing marajuana. Some were selling accessories like chillum pipes , and others were selling the raw weed.
There appears to be some attempt to develop strains of weed for the Jamaican market, for example the Westmoreland people had some weed with the label "Pineapple - Grown in Orange Hill". Orange Hill some may know has been a ganja producing town for many decades. When people say "The best weed come from Westmoreland" they are usually refering to Orange Hill weed.
One thing bothered me a bit but I can't say it surprises me. The derivative products appear to be spearheaded by the foreigners, and the "bag a weed" sellers mostly by the local rastaman. There was some local/foreign collaboration but my guess is that in those cases the foreigner owns most of the production and the locals are more for the branding. It is not hard to see a situation where eventually all the licenses, etc for real products go to the business class while the small grower is left to peddle his product in Negril and at reggae concerts.
Ultimately marijuana is just a plant, and the potency of our local variety has long been surpassed by others using science and technology to increase THC content. What we are left with really is selling the experience of smoking in a culture and environment where the plant has always had a special place and connection. There is value to that no doubt but who will be the ones to take advantage of it? Probably the same people who operate the clubs, restaurants and hotels.
I hope I am wrong and the small grower gets more of an opportunity out of this.
There were a number of foreigners peddling products at the Herb Curb. A group of Candadians I believe were talking about a chocolate product that they were investing in. Others were displaying what looked to me like hydroponic systems for growing marajuana. Some were selling accessories like chillum pipes , and others were selling the raw weed.
There appears to be some attempt to develop strains of weed for the Jamaican market, for example the Westmoreland people had some weed with the label "Pineapple - Grown in Orange Hill". Orange Hill some may know has been a ganja producing town for many decades. When people say "The best weed come from Westmoreland" they are usually refering to Orange Hill weed.
One thing bothered me a bit but I can't say it surprises me. The derivative products appear to be spearheaded by the foreigners, and the "bag a weed" sellers mostly by the local rastaman. There was some local/foreign collaboration but my guess is that in those cases the foreigner owns most of the production and the locals are more for the branding. It is not hard to see a situation where eventually all the licenses, etc for real products go to the business class while the small grower is left to peddle his product in Negril and at reggae concerts.
Ultimately marijuana is just a plant, and the potency of our local variety has long been surpassed by others using science and technology to increase THC content. What we are left with really is selling the experience of smoking in a culture and environment where the plant has always had a special place and connection. There is value to that no doubt but who will be the ones to take advantage of it? Probably the same people who operate the clubs, restaurants and hotels.
I hope I am wrong and the small grower gets more of an opportunity out of this.
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