THE Mighty Diamonds, whose 1982 song Pass The Kutchie is an anthem for ganja lovers worldwide, is one of the acts for the November 12-15 Cannabis Cup in Negril, Westmoreland.

Billboard magazine announced the event's music line-up on Friday. It also includes singer Fred Locks, best known for the 1975 hit, Black Star Liner.

The list of artistes is completed by Tarrus Riley, Luciano, I Wayne, Kabaka Pyramid, Jah9, and Jawara 'Tosh1' McIntosh, son of reggae great Peter Tosh.

Tosh, who was killed by gunmen at his St Andrew home in September 1987, was from Westmoreland. His 1976 album Legalize It is one of the great statements for the legalisation of marijuana.

Bob Marley's band The Wailers performs in India this month. Amrita Madhukalya speaks to his bandmate Aston Barrett about everything Marley, including marijuana and, of course, reggae

• Aston Barrett and The Wailers will perform in Shillong and in Kolkata

Bob Marley passed away at the age of 36 in 1981, leaving behind a legacy of music that no other musician could ever replicate. This year's Booker winner, Marlon James's A Brief History of Seven Killings, which tells the story of an assassination attempt on the reggae legend's life, attests to that mystique too. Now, more than three decades after Marley's death, his band, The Wailers, are all set to perform at the NH7 Weekender Festival in India.

Kingston, Jamaica -- The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) made history this past July by establishing itself as the world's premier institution for the research and development of marijuana and its use in the field of medicine. This was made possible through a partnership with CITIVA, LLC, which is a medical research company specializing in safe and effective cannabinoid products. 

The Jamaican government is urging the financial sector to ensure that only clean money from the new ganja industry passes through their systems.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator AJ Nicholson made the call yesterday as he said the opening of opportunities in the industry also involved risks.

Addressing the Jamaica Bankers’ Association/Jamaica Institute of Financial Services 4th Annual Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism Conference, he said that with the relaxation of rules governing the use, possession and trade in medical cannabis related products, financial institutions “must adapt their rules and procedures to be consistent with the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act”.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator A.J. Nicholson is calling for vigilance on the part of financial institutions, surrounding the emerging medical marijuana sector, to stay within the ambit of the drug and anti-money laundering laws.

"Financial institutions must adapt their rules and procedures to be consistent with the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act. In doing so, they must continue to be vigilant to ensure that funds which pass through their institutions are acquired only through regulated trade in cannabis and cannabis-related products," Senator Nicholson warned.

He said there is a danger that funds from the trade of unregulated cannabis and related products may find their way into the legitimate banking system.

DANCEHALL singjay Triban is hoping to educate listeners about the health benefits associated with the marijuana plant in his latest single Cannabis.

"Marijuana (cannabis) is not just for smoking as persons believe. I believe it is one of the most important plants in the world because of its health benefits, but it doesn't get the respect it deserves. This songs aims at highlighting that, so I hope the message will resonate well with the listeners. It's not just another ganja song," the 38-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.

Released on October 2, Cannabis is produced by Full Flight Records.

The medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant is well documented.

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has moved to clarify claims that the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has sought permission from the Government to import some 100 ganja seeds for a pilot project.

Responding to a story published in The Gleaner last Friday, the CLA noted that the importation of ganja remains illegal.

"The authority is working tirelessly to have regulations in place in the coming months, but until such time, no one can legally import ganja, in any form, into the country as it remains illegal. The CLA wants to make this very clear to the public. Importing or exporting ganja is an illegal activity in Jamaica," said CLA chairman Dr Andre Gordon.

FOR most of his 67 years, Verald Vassell has preached ganja's medicinal and religious virtues. Until last year, those who listened were largely from his Rastafarian faith.

With use of small portions of the weed decriminalised in Jamaica this year, Vassell, popularly known as Ras Iyah, is preparing to host the Cannabis Cup in Westmoreland, his home parish.

The 'Cup' was first held in 1988 and has been staged mainly in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, hailed by many ganja lovers as the weed capital of the world.

Promoted by High Times Magazine, the Cannabis Cup will be held for the first time in Jamaica, from November 12-15 in Negril.

Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has sought permission from the Government to import some 100 ganja seeds for a pilot project that is expected to guide the development of a regulatory framework for the country's emerging medical marijuana industry.

Amid reports that scores of local and overseas players are already lining up for a share of the fledgling industry, government insiders insist that it was important for Jamaica's regulatory mechanism to be able to stand up to international scrutiny.

"There are many, many players waiting, but of course, people want to see how we manage it," one insider said recently.

The source, however, made it clear that "it is not going to be a free-for-all in Jamaica".

Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding says the reform of Jamaica’s ganja laws has already seen arrests reduced by about 1,000 per month.

He says the authorities expect that 15,000 fewer ganja-related cases will be before the courts each year.

Senator Golding says this will significantly lessen the number of young men who are introduced into Jamaica’s criminal justice system.

The amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act, came into force earlier this year, with the primary goal of reducing the arrest and incarceration of young people for minor ganja offences.

Possession of less than two ounces of ganja and smoking of the weed in public are now non-arrestable infractions for which a ticket may be issued.