Virgin Boss Sir Richard Branson believes Jamaica can “lead the way” in the global Marijuana trade.
He made the statement during a recent visit to the Caribbean island where cultivation and consumption of Cannabis plays a prominent role in the nation’s public image.
“I’ve always believed in the power of this plant – and in Jamaica’s extraordinary potential to lead the way,” said Branson, speaking on stage with reggae artiste Jesse Royal at the 4/20 festival put on by Jacana in April.
“But I thought I saw the curtain move a little bit— anyway, I went and sat in the car in the street. And I sat there for two days. And then finally… Finally, he invited me into his house and he rolled the biggest [spliff] ever,” the music mogul joked much to the amusement of the crowd.
Describing the “foot-long” smoke as an initiation of fire, Branson said despite ending up collapsed on the floor of the late reggae singer Peter Tosh’s home, he passed the test and signed the singer leading to the release of the Tosh classic, Legalize It, where he sang about the legalization of Marijuana.
“The first record he put out… maybe if that record hadn’t come out…we’re celebrating 10 years of the legalisation of cannabis in Jamaica. Without that record, I think it may never have been legalised,” Branson said.
Branson has strong connections to Jamaica through his record label which signed several top reggae stars. He reminisced on one of those artistes, Peter Tosh, and the singer’s early advocacy for ending the prohibition of ganja.
Although the herb in Jamaica is illegal, possession of small amounts was reduced to a petty offence in 2015.Cannabis is locally known as ganja, and it was introduced to the island back in the 1850s.
“We had a label called Frontline. We signed the Gladiators, the Abyssinians, Uroi Aroi, the Mighty Diamonds, lots of wonderful bands. And when Bob Marley sadly died, I flew to Jamaica with the aim of signing Peter Tosh, who I thought was one of the greatest artistes, greatest songwriters, greatest guitarists around. I went to his house, and I knocked on his door and there was no response,” Branson said to the crowd.
Branson has continued to advocate for responsible cannabis legislation through his work with the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
A Local government spokesman said: ” We welcome and will always welcome Sir Richard Branson to Jamaica. His views are his views and we respect that. Marijuana is still illegal in the country. The state decriminalised possession of up to two ounces of the herb. That is all I can say on this matter.”