One of the most emblematic countries in marijuana culture, Jamaica receives many tourists who are looking for cool experiences with the plant. But is it 100% legal?

Land of Bob Marley, the Rastafarian religion and lots of marijuana… is that true? Jamaica is a true natural paradise, with paradisiacal beaches with blue sea and white sand. However, most tourists really want green – and the country has already become one of the main global routes when it comes to cannabis tourism. But many doubts hang in the air when it comes to the legality of the plant there.

Although it is the birthplace of incredible genetics and one of the main icons of marijuana culture, Jamaica has come (and still goes) a long way in search of legality. This entire struggle, which began in the 1960s, only found a certain “happy ending” in 2015. And even so, the scenario is far from perfect.

If you want to understand a little more about this country's history with cannabis and the legal status of the plant there, you're in the right place! Here, we'll tell you a little more about Jamaica's fascinating relationship with marijuana, as well as everything you need to know legally if you want to visit.

SO, IS MARIJUANA LEGAL IN JAMAICA?

not exactly!

Despite Jamaica's reputation as a marijuana paradise, the country only relaxed its laws regarding the plant in 2015. Currently, possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use has been decriminalized. But if you are caught using less than 56.6 grams without a prescription, or using the plant in public, you will be fined 500 Jamaican dollars (about $5).

Jamaicans can also have up to five plants in their homes for personal use.

Meanwhile, 100% legal marijuana in Jamaica is intended for medical, therapeutic or religious purposes. This includes purchasing marijuana when the plant has been prescribed in another country! In other words: if you have a prescription from here in Brazil, you will now be able to buy flowers, extractions and other products legally in the country. If you are caught carrying it, you will also not be subject to a fine.

If you don't have a recipe, it's not difficult to get it in your own territory either. Jamaican doctors issue medical marijuana cards for a much wider range of conditions than doctors in other locations, including. Anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain are legally treated with cannabis under Jamaican law.

So the answer to the question “is marijuana legal in Jamaica?” is: if you have a prescription, yes. Totally. If you don't have it, it's not a crime to use it. But you may have to bear some administrative sanction (in this case, a humble fine).

RELIGIOUS USE OF MARIJUANA IN JAMAICA

Jamaica's relationship with marijuana began about two hundred years ago, when, at the end of the 17th century, workers from the West Indies brought the plant there. In a short time, it became a basic input for the local population. The tropical climate was perfect for the adaptation of cannabis, which began to be used in teas to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic pain. It was also used in tinctures made with rum, or in other oral and topical preparations. There, it came to be called ganja.

But Jamaica's most famous relationship with cannabis is through Rastafarianism. The religion was founded by Leonard P. Howell in the 1930s, and quickly spread throughout the region. Howell made smoking a sacred practice, believing that the plant grants divine wisdom and healing to those who smoke it.

Described as “the herb of wisdom” or “the sacred herb” within the religion, marijuana is fundamental to Rastafarianism. Religion was even one of the biggest drivers for the regulation of the plant, which is now legalized for religious use – which gives practitioners more freedom.

WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN JAMAICA?

Jamaican law is highly permissive for those seeking medical or therapeutic marijuana. Each patient may purchase up to two ounces from licensed dispensaries as long as they have a valid prescription. Smokable strains, topicals, tinctures, as well as all types of cannabidiol (CBD) products are available.

However, smoking in public is not legal. Private residences and smoke lounges in dispensaries are the only places where you are allowed to light up your joint in Jamaica.

To buy medical marijuana there, you must:

Have a valid prescription from a foreign doctor; or Visit a Jamaican doctor approved by the Ministry of Health to prescribe marijuana; or Speak with medical professionals who practice at some dispensaries. You can even fill out a medical form to get a prescription at some dispensaries. Some of the more prominent locations include Epican Jamaica in Kingston and Island Strains Herb House in Montego Bay.

How do I know if my condition qualifies me to buy there?

Any condition that causes pain, nausea and muscle spasms will definitely give you access to a medical marijuana prescription in Jamaica. These include insomnia, migraines, cancer, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, seizures, and many other conditions, both physical and mental.

THE PROBLEMS OF MEDICINAL LEGALIZATION IN JAMAICA

Since 2015 until now, a lot has changed in Jamaica's cannabis scene – some for the better, and others not so much. The director of the first legal marijuana company there, Balram Vaswani, told Leafly that work began in 2013, and just five years later, in 2018, the company Kaya Herb House was opened.

But, in addition to the amount of bureaucracy, Vaswani opened people's eyes to several other problems that were appearing there. One of the biggest issues, for him, was the difficulty of preserving the region's native genetics.

In recent decades, due to the repression of the war on drugs and external influences, many of the country's classic strains have taken a backseat. In the 1980s, there was a predominance of sativas in Jamaica. However, as California began to shape the industry and, consequently, what consumers were looking for, classic indicas such as OG Kush were introduced.

From then on, local breeders mixed genetics – and not always intentionally. Cross-pollination ended up mixing everything up and making all marijuana more generic, without its unique characteristics.

Some local growers, like the owner of Kaya Herb House, are trying to fix this through landrace seeds. They want to rescue the plant's ancestry, and not become just another place for the dissemination of American genetics. And we think this is so beautiful!

IF YOU WANT TO SMOKE IN JAMAICA, REMEMBER:

Don't do this in public!

Take your prescription or look for a local professional.

Prices range from US$10 per gram to US$80 per ounce, according to a 2021 survey by Cannigma. However, they may have undergone some changes since then.

To the next!