Ganja plant - FILE
EDITOR's NOTE:
Today the STAR starts a short series on simple breaches of public order which are taking place in the centre of Half-Way Tree. The breaking of the law is obvious. Our reporter found them without any difficulty, why aren't the relevant authorities doing something about these law breaches? Today we show how easy it will be for our expected guests for Cricket World Cup 2007 to sell and/or buy ganja in the capital of St. Andrew in the core of the nations capital...
Jamaica's national flower is ... marijuana?! If you pass through the heart of Half-Way Tree you might well think that since the Lignum Vitae the real national flower has been usurped by the 'national weed' since practically every other stall sells buds of the cannabis plant.
With countless aliases such as weed, herbs, sensi (menia), ganja, and trees, marijuana is a widely used substance that despite its illegal status, is arguably the most commonly sold item of all the illegal wares covered in this STAR investigation in Half-Way Tree.
Sold in quantities valuing $20, $50, $100, and upwards, ganja is available at most of the stalls in the Half-Way Tree area, including those in the Mandella Park and Clocktower Plaza.
These stall vendors are really 'petty' retailers of the illegal substance, as they rarely sell more than $50 worth of weed. These vendors usually have their products pre-packaged and hidden in a compartment on their stall for easy access.
The 'major' retailers of marijuana operate quite differently. A point man is usually set to take orders, and then a 'runner' (or the point man himself) goes for the ganja, which is stored about 100 metres away from the point of sale (a precaution done to avoid 'dealing' prosecution and product confiscation).
One such major retailer can be found in close proximity to the Pavilion Mall. This retailer does not retail $20 or $50 quantities, instead he opts to sell amounts of $100, $500, and upwards. Prices not only vary by amount, but by potency of the drug (strong potency is referred to as 'high grade').
One marijuana buyer who was willing to comment on his risky support of the illegal industry, said: "A di healing a di nation."
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