Cannabis, or ganja, has been used by working-class people in Jamaica for over a century. This book examines the ganja complex that exists there, including its historical development and the consequences of long-term use.
Ganja has traditionally been used in Jamaica for recreational, therapeutic, and work-related purposes. It is alleged to stimulate the most desirable properties in the user and to bring him/her closer to God. The use of ganja has historically been supported by references to various biblical passages.
In their investigation the co-authors found that chronic ganja use does not curtail work motivation and does not make an individual prone to commit violent crimes. They also discovered that a culture which emphasizes the beneficial aspects of cannabis use plays an important role in curtailing its potential for abuse.
Ganja in Jamaica merits praise because it links cannabis use in a particular Latin American setting to broader historical and cultural considerations. It should be of interest to historians, sociologists, anthropologists, as well as students of the contemporary drug scene.
