I've been reading this thread, trying to decide if I should add my two cents or not... So here goes...

There are many reasons I keep coming back to Negril... for me, one of the most important reason is the availability of "subs" (Not the quality of said "subs", but the availability) and the fact that I can sit at my hotel, or at some bars, and partake as if it was legal.

It's not the ONLY reason - but most, if not all of the other reasons (The food, the friendly people, the beaches, etc) can be had elsewhere. I've been to Mexico numerous times, travelled the Caribbean, and keep ending up back in Jamaica.

We haven't been back in about a year, because we decided to skip our twice yearly trip to Negril and save up, and just spent 15 nights in Amsterdam, my second visit there in 5 years.

If they were to fully legalize, I would expect that the quality of the "subs" would skyrocket, as would accomodations specifically for people who eat "subs". A Caribbean Amsterdam, so to speak. (Which isn't what we have in Colorado - you can buy it, but you've got to smoke it at home)

Yes, I can smoke at home. What I can't do at home is enjoy my smoke out in the open... while it's illegal in Jamaica, there are plenty of places where it is safe to sit and smoke... on my balcony, watching the sunrise with a cup of amazing coffee... some bars are more than happy to have you smoke and enjoy a beer, same with some restaurants... Being able to enjoy a smoke the way others enjoy a beer is priceless.

Now, that being said, I have to add something... I keep seeing people talk about how it's the "vibe" of Negril and "the locals" who make it such a "chill, laid back place"... I have to call "bull****" on some of that. We forget the men who grab your wife's hand, not letting go, holding tighter as she tries to pull away, until I realize whats happening and intervene, all the time trying to sell something whether its a trinket, or weed, or bracelets, or something. The hustlers on the beach, who even after being told NO continue to bother you every time you walk by (lets just say my appearance is somewhat distinctive, they know they've asked me already).. Bartenders who "tell" you that you're buying them a beer... guys who are all smiling and happy to your face, then turn to their friends and start talking **** in patois about you (I know what a bumbleclot is, thanks)...

That being said, when not being bothered/harassed, I love the place, not just for the ganja. I get what everyone means by the "vibe"... but we are pretending that there aren't instances where that "vibe" gets shattered, if only for a moment... and then back to your "sub" and/or red stripe... The truth is, my wife goes along because she knows how much I love it - but she HATES the hustlers, and ONE stressful interaction can ruin her whole day and make it impossible for her to relax. I do my best to shield her from it, but without fail, if I let me guard down for a minute someone is approaching her, and at times SCARING her. Yes, she's a bit timid and gets uncomfortable more easily than I do - but what does it say about "the people" if on an almost daily basis my wife is feeling uncomfortable? And I'm not talking about when doing things like buying "subs"... I'm talking about when we're at a bar and I walk away to use the bathroom... or she waits outside while I run into a store for some supplies... or walking the cliff road to go to a restaurant... common every day things... If it was up to her we would go A/I and never leave the resort.