Hyacinth Jackson, businesswoman
Traditional farmers are still uneasy and that is understandable, having had so many bad experiences with law enforcers in the past. It is going to be difficult for the government to win over the traditional farmers ... right now it is more of a wait and see stance they (the farmers) are taking.
My interest is that the benefits is shared in an equitable way so that we can feel a part of whatever income is generated. Ganja has fed many Jamaicans for many years and I thought it was preposterous to be spending time and resources to fight against it in the first place.
I share the view of Ras Iyah V, the head of the Westmoreland Hemp and Ganja Farmers Association, that the poor, the persons who have always had the wrath of the law coming down on them, gets a fair share of the benefits.
I believe the farmer should not wait on government, they should organise and put themselves in a position to demand a stake in whatever is happening as we are doing at the Westmoreland Hemp and Ganja Farmers Association.