Jamaica: Whether legitimate farmers are intimidated and/or attacked by groups that want the farmers to cultivate marijuana on their farmland
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 18 September 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | JAM35405.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Jamaica: Whether legitimate farmers are intimidated and/or attacked by groups that want the farmers to cultivate marijuana on their farmland, 18 September 2000, JAM35405.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be4f9.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a 14 September 2000 telephone interview, the Senior Associate Editor of the Kingston-based Daily Gleaner, who has been studying and writing about drug issues in Jamaica since 1977, stated that he was not aware of any instances of farmers being intimidated or threatened by gangs who wanted the farmers to bring their land under marijuana cultivation. The Editor went on to state that while the trafficking of drugs is largely controlled by gangs, he was not aware of gangs being involved in the cultivation of marijuana. According to this same source, an independent farmer might grow a large amount of marijuana and buy from smaller farmers to augment his supply to sell into the trafficking network.
Some of this information was corroborated by a Sergeant with the Constabulary Communications Network, the communications arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in Kingston, in a 15 September 2000 telephone interview. He stated that the police have never received complaints from independent farmers who are threatened by gang members to cultivate marijuana (15 Sept. 2000). While the Sergeant was unable to say whether gangs are involved in the cultivation of marijuana, he stated that marijuana cultivation is "voluntary," "independent," "lucrative" and "ubiquitous."
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
Daily Gleaner [Kingston]. 14 September 2000. Telephone Interview with Senior Associate Editor.
Constabulary Communications Network [Kingston]. 15 September 2000. Telephone Interview with Sergeant.
Additional Sources Consulted
Caribbean and Central American Report. January 1999-August 2000.
IRB Databases
Jamaica Country File. Resource Centre.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. January 1999-May 2000.
LEXIS/NEXIS
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet Sites including:
Amnesty International
Bulletin on Narcotics
Caribbean Drug Control Co-ordination Mechanism, UN
High Times
Human Rights Watch
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 1999
Jamaica Gleaner [Kingston]
Jamaica Observer [Kingston]
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention
United Nations Drug Control Programme, Caribbean Regional Office
Non-Documentary Sources:
One additional oral source consulted, including the Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture, was unable to provide information on this topic.
Unsuccessful attempt to contact 1 additional non-documentary source.
