Rastaman with the "Herbal Crop" he loves the most. The picture to the right shows a close up of the magic plant.

amaica secret folks sport: Rolling Spliffs. Just what is a Spliff? Well, it's one of those things that graced the original cover of the LP "Catch A Fire" from Bob Marley, who enjoyed puffing on one between his lips, until one day the record company covered it with an oversized cigarette lighter.

Right from the start: Marijuana is illegal. The entire world in Jamaica smokes their brains into the clouds, but seriously: Smoking Marijuana is according to law not allowed. Repeated roadblocks on the streets take place in an effort by the Jamaican Police to control the situation, especially when it's election time or other important happenings are going on. Such instances bring the public into a high state of alarm (all puns are intended), however, if you are caught with the illegal weed, matters can get rather sticky.   According to information from the January 1988 edition of the New Yorker magazine HIGH TIMES, all sorts of undercover agents comb Jamaican beaches, posing as dealers or otherwise sniffing around. This means on the beaches the potential is great, if you want to have trouble. In the beginning the penalty is usually a "Ticket", accompanied by a fine ranging between 50 U$ to 100 U$, which will save your skin (just don't forget to ask for the ticket). If one is caught dealing out of any circumstance, the situation can become quite complicated. Getting out of jail can run into the thousands of dollars.  The Rastafari-Myth was always connected with the smoking of holy herbs. Only after the worldwide success of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, did the consumption of the magical herb gain it's popularity. Even today, true Rastas live on the island of Jamaica, however they are vegetarians and they smoke no marijuana, since they are convinced that they can reach the right vibrations even without herbal assistance.   Oh... by the way: The stuff is potent. Unaccustomed smokers beware, it'll knock your flip-flops off! Take a good tip: If you are not a regular, I mean a never-, seldom-, or once in a while smoker, then only partake of this custom when you are a few meters away from a lounge chair or even better... from your own room, where you can stay cool about it. Once this weed wanders wildly into your brain, it is not advisable to be standing in a crowd full of dark unknown faces, all talking at once and all this in a corner surrounded by the pulsation of a blasting sound system.

Marijuana grows perfectly all over Jamaica and often boosts the otherwise rather sparse income of certain natives, if anything is in abundance on the island, then it is this holy herb of the Rastas. Most often mixed with tobacco, the dried weed is rolled into a Spliff and after waking up... smoked... and before breakfast... and after breakfast... anytime in between... and so on and so forth... There are those who claim that the island floats a few meters above the sea.   So much has been written about marijuana, that each additional word becomes unnecessary. In any case, you will observe the phenomenon with every step you take in Jamaica. Every vegetable stand owner appears to have his own marijuana stock, right there on the spot and every souvenir sales person has the right herb in assorted forms. In front of and in the Peter Tosh Memorial smoking is hard and heavy, whereby a Marihuana-License will be proudly displayed.