Ganja tea dad misunderstood

THE EDITOR: I am much disturbed and angered by the recent judgement by San Fernando Magistrate Chankar against a father of two for giving his asthmatic children ganja tea for their condition.

It is a judgement based on an absolute misconception of the effects of cannabis taken in tea form as opposed to being smoked or even consumed in foods. The science has long been clear that the psychoactive agent found in the cannabis species (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol or THC) is not soluble in water and no amount of ganja tea will produce the results associated with smoking a spliff.

The consumption of the tea, and use of the root of the plant is a well known folk remedy for asthma. It will not make anyone high, delirious or hallucinatory.

In rural Jamaica, serving of ganja tea, even to children, was a well-accepted practice considered as any other herb tea.

Our own Prof Beaubrun was amongst a high-powered team of researchers led by Vera Rubin of the (US) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) back in the early 1970s investigating the cultural, medical and psychological impact of ganja and discovered how deeply embedded the plant was in the island’s folk culture. Elders gave children and even babies a few drops “for the brain.”

Magistrate Chankar dispenses a judgement that inflicts more harm than good. Threatening to bring in the Children’s Authority would have imposed far more harm on a young family and what is this man’s understanding of caring for his children. How can that be a crime?

Dr Peter
Hanoomansingh,
Valsayn Park