Jamaican Weed Culture's Surprising Californian Roots

The Roots of Jamaican Weed

Cannabis was first brought to Jamaica by East Indian laborers in the middle 1800s.

The plant grew in popularity, especially among the lower working class. The Rastafari religious movement, which came to Jamaica in the 1920s, also fueled the fire. The group used cannabis as a way to meditate during meetings. But despite its common use, it was still largely illegal. 

Only recently, in relative terms, cannabis for medicinal purposes was made legal through amendments to the Dangerous Drug Act in 2015. Under this act, those battling cancer, terminal illness, or severe chronic illness can have access to the healing powers of cannabis.

Weed Farming Culture in Jamaica

Understanding the cannabis farming culture in Jamaica requires a brief look at its history.

Only the wealthy could afford weed, so prices were sky-high. And growers sold their products primarily in the underground market. The black market was going well until authorities decided to crack down on the growing of cannabis—farms raided, crops destroyed, and hundreds of farmers arrested.

It resulted in a significant loss of skilled farmers, who went into hiding or left the island. As authorities continued to eradicate marijuana in the 1950s, only a small portion of those willing to risk all carried on farming.

Jamaica has come a long way since then, with the government moving towards a more positive outlook on the marijuana industry in the country. These days many North American cultivators, processors, and manufacturers have invested in the market.

The Californian Influence on Jamaican Weed Farming Practices 

Jamaica is hot and humid, presenting a challenging farming terrain. Heavy rain often damages plants. Then, the heat and humidity risk fungal infection and mold. And many of the farming practices used in Jamaica were either outdated or unfit for the climate. Farmers stuck to the same methods year in and year out without any innovation to how they were doing things, until my wife and I brought over the techniques from California. 

For example, it was common not to assign a sex to the plants. Male plants would produce seeds without competing with females. Farmers would also use chemicals, harming the environment and consumers' health. Unsurprisingly, these issues led to low yields and poor quality.

But now Californian farmers have introduced little, easy hacks—like covering plants with hoop houses to protect them from heavy, percussive rain that knocks the cannabis’s trichome off, resulting in much better quality cannabis. 

As California is the frontrunner in cannabis farming in the US, their knowledge and expertise are invaluable. They’re the reason for organic farming methods being used in Jamaica: organic composting, manure tea, and maintaining rich soil microbiology.

Using aerated compost tea—a common practice in California—instead of fertilizers, for instance, has worked well. So does studying soil microbiology to make sure plants get exactly what they need. Simply observing specific bacteria, nematodes, and fungi in the soil have helped Jamaican growers learn how its nature is affected.

A lot of these methods, which sometimes come in lightbulb moments from directly experiencing Jamaica’s weather conditions, are the way Californian growers pave the way for more eco-friendly and climate-suitable farming which influenced my philosophy. Jamaican “ganja”, even in the black market, has seen a 100% elevation in THC levels and overall quality. 

My wife and I spent years narrowing down dozens of plants to 8 top performing species. The result is not instant, but cannabis crops in Jamaica are improving because of its Californian influence.

The Future of Jamaican Weed

As of March 2021, Jamaica has awarded 33 medical cannabis business licenses. Now Jamaican suppliers ship cannabis to countries worldwide, including Portugal and Zambia.

Although cannabis farming in Jamaica has a long history, the future is bright. With new farming methods, an understanding of the climate, and a focus on supply-chain management, the Jamaican weed industry is poised for even greater success.

Tristan Champagne got into the medical cannabis scene after being exposed to genetic work done with cannabis. After being invited to Jamaica to get further involved in the cannabis industry and be part of the first licensed growers in the country. Now, Massive Therapeutics is dedicated to producing quality, cost-efficient medical marijuana for the global market.