The educational campaign seeks to “Burn Ganja Myths” with factual, quality resources on the health impacts and benefits of cannabis.
Jamaican officials have launched a campaign designed to promote public education around cannabis, in a move to modernise how residents get information about the plant, Marijuana Moment reports.
Devised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Council for Drug Abuse, the ‘Good Ganja Sense’ campaign’s new website has launched.
In a bid to debunk myths, the new website is filled with multimedia educational resources detailing the health impacts and benefits of cannabis. The online platform gives a background to the campaign, links to media items and includes a contact form, so the public can get in touch with the ‘Good Ganja’ team.
The ‘Good Ganja Sense’ website states that the campaign strives to “fill the gap in relation to evidence-based information on ganja,” adding that “scientific studies on the plant indicate that it has many potential beneficial uses, for medicinal and other purposes.”
This campaign acknowledges that we live in an era of information which is primarily accessed online. It aims to empower individuals to educate themselves with factual and impartial information, which is now at their fingertips in our digital world.
In the spirit of objectivity, the website boasts a myth-busting section, debunking narratives that cannabis makes people lazy, is a gateway drug, lowers sperm count and more. One section focuses on whether cannabis can cause fatal overdoses, citing a Drug Enforcement Administration fact sheet reporting that no cannabis-caused overdose death has ever been recorded.
The educational effort also features bus ads urging people to “Burn Ganja Myths” and instead to “Go With The Science.”
Jamaica has a rich history of affiliation with cannabis culture. In 2018, a Jamaican lawmaker declared cannabis the country’s birthright, calling for research and development of indigenous strains.
Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, head of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, is hopeful that the campaign will stimulate more conversations around cannabis.
Despite the strong cultural ties between Jamaica and ganja, Cuthbert-Flynn believes that there is a knowledge gap on the science of cannabis which has left residents relying on word of mouth for information.
‘Good Ganja Sense’ is an educational hub designed to combat misinformation in virtual and physical spaces by disseminating impartial information which promotes progressive and evidence-based attitudes and dialogue.
To explore additional cannabis content, click here.
