On Friday, the 6^th of February the Jamaican parliament passed a radical new marijuana law that could change the social climate of the small island forever. The legislation would dictate that the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana an offense that warrants a ticket rather than an arrest. The law was passed after an arduous five-hour debate in the Jamaican parliament.

By happenstance, the day was also what would’ve been the 70^th birthday of reggae icon Bob Marley. Regardless of both Jamaica and Marley being known for their connection with weed, Marley was a public advocate of weed, while Jamaica was most certainly not. It may come as a surprise due to common misconceptions, but Marijuana has never been legal in Jamaica. Statistics compiled by the Criminal Records Office of the Jamaican Constabulary in 2013 have revealed that 4,367 people had been convicted for drug-related offences. Most of said offences were that of simple marijuana possessions. The debate over the legality of marijuana was reignited in the country when 31-year-old Mario Deane was beaten to death in his jail cell after being arrested for the possession of a small marijuana cigarette last year.

The new legislation would allow for an assortment of licenses, permits, and other authorizations which would enable the establishment of a lawful, regulated marijuana industry for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes. The legislation is scheduled to be debated by the Jamaican House of Representatives in the new Parliamentary year, with the budget set to discussed next week. The legislation has been criticized by Jamaicans outside of the ‘Rastafarian faith’ as being prejudiced. The prominent senator and senior lawyer KD Knight asked why the cultivation of marijuana is “limited to someone of the Rastafarian faith?” Despite the opposition, the parliament heard Justice Minister Mark Goldberg embark on the groundbreaking bill that could pave the way to the full legalization of recreational marijuana. Bob Marley was once quoted as saying, “Herb, herb is a plant. I mean herbs are good for everything. Why, why these people who want to do so much good for everyone, who call themselves governments and this and that. Why them say you must not use the herb?”

FSA Connection 

1. In the piece, the word “therapeutic” means what?
2. What is the connotation of the word “legalization” in the story?
3. The author seems to offer what main idea?
4. Select the best 2 sentences from the story that support the idea of Bob Marley being a marijuana advocate.
5. In the article, the author uses quotes from which two individuals?