Ganja in Jamaica
The Jamaican's refer to marijuana as Ganja, so in
effects we will refer to marijuana as ganja as well.
Ganja the Wisdom Weed
Ganja is considered as the "wisdom weed"
by Rastafarians, it's thought that it's use is divine
and helps one to gain wisdom. Ganja is used by Rastafarians
as part of a religious rite and as a means to get
closer to ones inner spiritual self, Jah and Creation.
Ganja References in the Bible?
The herb of life as ganja is seen by Rastafarians
is mentioned in the bible. This train of thought justifies
the use of ganja. The ganja reference is located in
Psalms 104:14 says "He causeth the grass to grow
for the cattle and the herb for the service of man,
that he may bring forth food out of the earth".
Rastafarians say ganja was found growing at the grave
of King Solomon in the Bible.
Ganja Gatherings
Ganja is smoked as part of a religious ritual. Ganja
is consumed as through smoking or eating. Ganja is
smoked out of a chalice, for purposes of large gatherings
and ganja is smoked communally out of the chalice
so that it may be passed.
Ganja is not the only of herb that is used by Rastafarians.
Although ganja is the most popular herb used, others
are used as well for medicinal and dietary supplements.
Ganja is the only herb used for smoking.
Ganja's place in Jamaican Export
Ganja is Jamaica's principle export. The government
knows this and is currently trying to completely decriminalize
ganja. It's said that the reason they haven't thus
far, is that the United States subsidizes the Jamaican
economy and since the war on Drugs here in America,
ganja remains illegal.
Ganja is and still remains to be illegal although
a major part of Jamaican society. Ganja is mbedded
in religious customs, ganja is a very important
part of life to the people who have endured through
quite a lot.
Ganja is not enforced as heavily as other laws,
but there are laws still on the books. Ganja has
and will always be a fundamental base of the Rastafarians
religious beliefs and practices.
But as with virtually every other country in the
world, ganja is and remains to be illegal.
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