A question about the Ganja - the laws - the enforcement

So, I think it is evident that you can pretty much get it anywhere without too much problem. I don't really want to get into a moral debate about the subject, as everyone has their own opinions.

While I was on my first visit, it was very open out on the beach in Negril. People were smoking it at the bars and walking down the beach, etc.

Is this the case elsewhere on the island?

I saw law enforcement twice while I was down there. Do they bother anyone over it? Do they treat tourists differently than the locals? I know that in other popular vacation areas such as Mexico, law enforcement will shake you down and try and get your cash from you.

Anyone shed some light on the matter?

You definitely don't want to be walking down the beach or in a night venue at the beach doing it in the open. Also be careful driving around with it. Anything on private property (above the high water line) or on the cliff side is probably ok. If you get busted, it will cost you $$$.

I've been a few times, and have never seen it widely done. Smelled it, yes. Seen it, no.

It is illegal and the laws are enforced. Exercise the same discretion you would at home. DO NOT travel with it, they do stop and check.

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Originally Posted by Flipadelphia26

So, I think it is evident that you can pretty much get it anywhere without too much problem. I don't really want to get into a moral debate about the subject, as everyone has their own opinions.

While I was on my first visit, it was very open out on the beach in Negril. People were smoking it at the bars and walking down the beach, etc.

Is this the case elsewhere on the island?

I saw law enforcement twice while I was down there. Do they bother anyone over it? Do they treat tourists differently than the locals? I know that in other popular vacation areas such as Mexico, law enforcement will shake you down and try and get your cash from you.

Anyone shed some light on the matter?

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First of all, you already know it is illegal and, yes you can get it most anywhere and, yes you can be arrested for using, possessing and trying to purchase it. The police sometimes look at a tourist as a "shakedown" target as you mentioned about Mexico.

I happen to live in a town (Accompong Town) where there is no law against ganja. Not to say that the Government of Jamaica does not have the ability to enforce one there but there are no police there to enforce it if they wanted to. The police do occasionally drive through town but they don't get out of their vehicles unless they have business there.

I am going on 30 years this year of traveling to and living in Jamaica and I rarely if ever smoke it, I would NEVER transport it on my person or in a vehicle and I have witnessed several times people being busted for smoking and or transporting it.

It is you own personal decision as to how you would approach this while in Jamaica but be careful as things are not as open as they sometimes appear to be.

Peace and Guidance

Such laws are enforced somewhat sporadically and randomly, but with tourists they may be enforced as a way of enticing a payment of a 'fine' in lieu of being formally charged. Not worth the risk of facing that situation. Keep it out of highly public view and off the beach. In your hotel is fine.

It would really suck to be stuck in a foreign jail on vacation.

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Originally Posted by Accompong

First of all, you already know it is illegal and, yes you can get it most anywhere and, yes you can be arrested for using, possessing and trying to purchase it. The police sometimes look at a tourist as a "shakedown" target as you mentioned about Mexico.

I happen to live in a town (Accompong Town) where there is no law against ganja. Not to say that the Government of Jamaica does not have the ability to enforce one there but there are no police there to enforce it if they wanted to. The police do occasionally drive through town but they don't get out of their vehicles unless they have business there.

I am going on 30 years this year of traveling to and living in Jamaica and I rarely if ever smoke it, I would NEVER transport it on my person or in a vehicle and I have witnessed several times people being busted for smoking and or transporting it.

It is you own personal decision as to how you would approach this while in Jamaica but be careful as things are not as open as they sometimes appear to be.

Peace and Guidance

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By open,

I mean I saw several local higglers smoking on the beach. Locals were at bars on the beach smoking. I was just wondering.

Use caution as cops may ignore the locals but take action against the tourist standing next to them. The locals don't tend to have enough money to pay a "fine."

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By open,

I mean I saw several local higglers smoking on the beach. Locals were at bars on the beach smoking. I was just wondering.

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Again, I live in So. Florida and some people openly consume alcohol on the streets even though there is a law against doing that. The police see them and yet they don't bust them.... why? Well, part of the reason is that it will do no good anyways. They arrest them and that takes a lot of time and paperwork and not too long later they are doing the same thing again.

I think the same can be said of your higgler example. And, to add to the problem, some of them could easily be working undercover as that is often how a tourist gets busted or they work with a policeman "friend" who waits until you are comfortably enjoying your herb with your new-found-Rasta-friend and then swoops in for the kill.

As I said before. Things are not always as open as they seem.

Peace and Guidance