Marijuana and Jamacia, myth?

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Mark

I see some good anwers from my fellow Jamaicans but here is my honest opinion.

You don't want to be caught with it. You are liable to be jailed.
True, the police are a lot more lenient these days if you have a only a 'spliff' , but I would suggest you not have them use their discretion.

I guess police can't venture everywhere, everytime so you will have some room to really "light up".

And by the way, the rastas, who are advocating it to be legal, do smoke it like crazy here! but they will not do it around the lawman. The rest of us don't really mind it.

hot chocolate

It is unenforced when no-one calls the Police to turn you. If the police don't know that you are breaking the law then they can't do anything about it, right? Now, if they know, that is a totally different situation. I would suggest that if you want to smoke, just do it in private. You don't know who is undercover and who isn't, so don't take the chance and ruin a wonderful vacation. Jamaican jails are not nice and from what I have read you won't come out as you went in.....nuff said!! BTW, the fine will depend on your state when arrested, what you were doing and the quantity you were caught with. Please don't try and bribe the cops if you are caught, plea yes, bribe no!

Gulfstream_five_fifty

While boarding our ship in Mon Bay, A young lad was searched and authorities were called.....He had an extended vacation in Jamaica.
His parents tried to bribe the authorities and were almost arrested too!

traveler

As recent articles show, anyone that uses Wikipedia as their primary source is asking for trouble. Ganja is available almost any place in Jamaica. The problem is, when Jamaicans (police, bystanders, shop owners, every Jamaican) sees you, they see money signs. Does no good to bust a Jamaican for possession as they can't pay the fine but a rich tourist does. You buy off one "farmer" and another farmer gets jelous and turns you into the police and gets a small (to us-huge to them) reward. As for how illegal, depends on the circumstances--you get busted and it's major consequences, don't get caught and it's not illegal. If you get busted, it's a couple days in a Jamaican jail while the embassy bargains for your release. I've visited a couple Jamiacan jails (I was on the outside looking into the cells) and trust me, you don't want to be there. When you are finally released, you can never return to Jamaica and your name is on watch lists which means every time you go through customs, your luggage gets searched; every time you have any dealings with the law it comes up that you were arrested with marijuana. Life will become miserable for you as someone with a drug possession charge and international dealings involved. If you insist, head for Negril where it's more common. There they pass blunts around at the bars in plain view and you don't even have to buy it. If the supply at the bar dries up (hardly ever does), give some J$s to the bartender and he/she will return in short order--you run no risk of getting busted for buying and he/she's happy cause you paid premium price (but cheap by US standards) cause 30% went in their pocket. Had a coworker just returned fron Negril and she was high all week even though she didn't smoke any (she's a drug counselor and would loose her job if tested positive), that's how thick the order is. Regardless of what, don't even think about brining any back to the states. Just like you, the customs agents know how easy it is to get ganja in Jamaica and ALL luggage is checked when you return.

Dr. Suess

It can be anything from completley unenforced to jail time and deportation, depending on all sorts of situations. Best advice is avoid breaking laws while your down there. Jamaican jails are not pleasant places...

jheneil j

it is very illegal the trick is to don't get caught or else ur butt will be going to jail. seen that maybe ur a tourist they might not be so harsh.

Nicole

I was just in Jamaica in January. Marijuana is illegal in Jamaica but it does not seem to be enforced. We didn't see too much law enforcement around anywhere. However, we were warned that if you do get nipped for purchasing or possessing marijuana then it won't be pretty. Imprisonment is the penalty for possession. Jamaica is probably the last place where I would want to spend time in jail. The Frommer's guide to Jamaica says that you don't want to experience first had Jamaica's penal system!

People were not smoking all around us. We were approached a few times to purchase marijuana but it was subtle. Definitely no bus drivers pulling over to smoke a joint. But that may also depend on where you are going and where you are staying too. We stayed at the Sandals resort and they have a pretty big reputation to uphold.

bashmentgyal

it is illegal and if the police see you doing it, it is possible that you will be charge for possession and/or dealing in Ganja. the safest bet is smoke in private.

earfulofb.s.

I am not sure, but I do know this it is naturally grown there right on the island. Just like Mexico, Thailand, Afghanistan, South America, and possibly Africa.

ericbryce2

I don't know about the legalities and all but I can tell you it is very common and readily available. On the last of my 3 trips to Jamaica we were approached to buy it before leaving the airport parking lot. For the rest of the week, staying on Negril beach, everyday, and all during the day, locals walked by with pot to sell. On my first trip I was at the outdoor vegetable market in Montego Bay. A group of men were passing around a joint the size of a Cuban cigar. The locals seem to prefer the wild to the cultivated variety which they refer to as fertilizer weed. They claim to be able to tell the difference. If you do want to smoke it, do it in your room or away from other people. You should not have a problem. It's primo!

ps. Negril is the best beach in Jamaica.

mellay

ganja in jamaica is a delicate topic - im jamaican so i should know.
Ganja is illegal since its a form of drugs but mainly smoked by rastas here in jamaica and is widely used as a form of herbal medicine hence why it is hard to make it legal or illegal but never the less as a tourist if u wish to smoke the high grade them - 'no problem man' dont think the cops will bother you.

peepinpep

I don't know just how illegal it is. My ex-fiance told me he and some buddies went there a few years ago, and it was everywhere. I saw some pics he had of some massive buds they had in their motel room. Just be careful!!

shasha

I don't smoke but I sure could smell it every where I went!..so ...some one is partaking of this activity on a very regular basis..lol just ...breathe..............

MiSZ LiA

it's true it is unenforced...the plants can be found all over the island and it is a part of the rastafarian culture...they usually light a joint smoke and pass it around...they believe that it cleanses your mind and body and helps you think...(kinda weird) you probably wont get arrested for it, and maybe not even a fine but i guess you should try to stay out of law enforcements way if you are smoking it...

selektap

Get ketched by the local police and you may see how intolerant the law will be towards you.It is still illegal so if you are gonna take a lik be careful

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