MUSIC HIGH, TRUTH OR LIE?

Bounty Killer

"Just gimme the light and pass the dro..." Sean Paul - 'Gimme De
Light'"Blaze up the chalwa, likkle but mi tallawah." Sizzla- 'Give It To
Dem' "Weed is life, just face reality..." Roundhead - 'Weed Is Life'
"Excuse me while I light my spliff. Good God I gotta take a lift." Bob
Marley - 'Easy Skanking'

THESE ARE but a few expressions of Jamaican singers' and deejays' reverence
for cannabis, a.k.a marijuana, also known as weed, herb, high-grade and
ganja, amongst other names. Marijuana is a staple at reggae and dancehall
events. It is never advertised on the show's bill, but it is always used to
'build a vibes' amongst the patrons and is usually available in large
quantities from independent retailers.

Ironically, when the fog from the many spliffs and occasional chalice
clears a bit, a police officer is usually seen a stone's throw away from
the individuals getting high. It is as if a secret resolution was passed
decriminalising the personal use of marijuana when it is 'blazed up' in the
confines of the dancehall.

The 'weed' link between music fans and those who make the music is very
strong. Artistes, musicians and producers in the music business have stated
in no uncertain terms that marijuana has, is and will continue to be
intrinsic to the success of Jamaican music.

According to these herb advocates, they make better music when they use
marijuana. They are of the mindset that as long as they are under the
influence of marijuana, they will come up with sweet music guaranteed to
make the fans dance.

Music business stalwart Copeland Forbes, who has been associated with
artistes such as the unflinching marijuana advocate Peter Tosh, told The
Sunday Gleaner that the school of thought was brought to his attention by
Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, bassist in the Wailer's band.

One day Forbes says he asked the musician what inspired him to unleash
those infectious notes on songs such as Stir It Up. Family Man's response
permeated Forbes' memory like the fragrance of marijuana would an enclosed
venue.

Family Man is said to have told Forbes, who is not a weed puffer, that 'as
long as I have the right herb I alright.'

It is a view that is unreservedly

supported by engineer and producer Sheldon 'Calibud' Stewart who has worked
with flamethrowers such as Capleton and Sizzla. "It is important to my
work," he noted. "Smoking the herb gives you that desire to find more
creative things for the music, it allows the creative juices to flow."

The talented producer and engineer says he could not even begin to imagine
the music business minus marijuana. "Bwoy mi a try picture it, but mi cyan
picture it cause right now mi high... but to me it wouldn't be as colourful
and creative," opined Calibud.

Calibud then passed the 'kutchie pon di left hand side' to Norris Man, who
puffed up a similar response. Norris Man told The Sunday Gleaner that with
the aid of the banned substance, the music is nicer. In addition, he says
it facilitates meditation and relaxation just before he explodes on a new
rhythm.

Conversely, others in the music business who definitely are not suffering
from glaucoma cannot see the fundamental relationship between music and
marijuana. "I don't know in what way it helps the music; the music more
help it, as it is sold quite freely and openly sold at reggae concerts,
which marvels me," Copeland Forbes said.

Tony Rebel went straight to the point. "First of all mi nuh smoke, but you
can perform well without having any substance enhancing you. Those who need
it they know why, but I don't think that they need it, it is definitely a
habitual thing," he said.

"There is a potency within the herb. Whether you smoke, drink or eat it, it
can always get you high or give you that euphoric kind of vibe," reasoned
Tony Rebel, a former 'weed man', who argued that 'bunning a big head
spliff' can also affect the temporary soundness of an individual's mind.

It was reasoned that talent speaks for itself with or without the aid of
marijuana to provide an adrenaline rush, the latter which can be gained in
other ways.

However, Tony Rebel still advocated the decriminalisation of the craved and
hated cannabis. This, he argued, on the premise that it could be beneficial
to the economy. "To me ganja is more important than smoking. It (ganja) can
make over 25,000 products and has a lot of medicinal value," Rebel said.

MEDICAL STANDPOINT

The use of marijuana has raised varied questions as to its benefits and
hazards. An article from Time Magazine on 11/06/2002 entitled 'Is America
Going to Pot?', posted on the website www.stormfront.org, outlined several
alleged disadvantages and advantages of using marijuana.

According to the article, marijuana was 50 per cent rougher on the lungs
than tobacco. It also stated that it could cause lung, neck and head
cancer. Among the advantages was the claim that it reduces intraocular
pressure, helping those afflicted with glaucoma.

Dr. Ronald Lampart, who is based in St. Thomas, and accredits himself for
conducting the most marijuana research in Jamaica, had some comforting
words for the singers and deejays who seek refuge in the misty bliss
provided by the herb.

According to Dr. Lampart, artistes need not worry since smoking the illegal
substance cannot affect their vocal chords. "Tobacco causes cancer of the
larynx. We have no evidence that marijuana causes cancer of the larynx,"
said Dr. Lampart.

The staunch advocate for decriminalising ganja added that jazz and Bob
Marley's music owe a lot to marijuana.

It is a claim that Tony Rebel flatly refuted. "No ah nuh true. Bob Marley's
music was a gift that he got from divine inspiration, it had nothing to do
with that," he said.

Veteran selector Sky Juice from Metro Media sound system does not smoke
marijuana. However, he pointed out that he will not cast brimstone and fire
on it.

"I don't smoke it, but mi nah fight 'gainst it. Mi just nuh get my vibes
from that. Every man system make different. Mi get my vibes different. Mi
nuh affi smoke a spliff fi go work, ah jus' natural vibes," reasoned Sky Juice.

The renowned selector also confessed that he knew many entertainers who
have to 'blaze up a chalice' or 'build up' a spliff to catch a vibe in the
studio or on-stage. The comical selector recalled a joke he heard while at
a stage show. He said it was time for the performances to get underway and
the MC came to the microphone and asked for the whereabouts of the men with
the 'good stuff', because the artistes were backstage waiting to go on and
perform. Their absence seemingly held up the show as the artistes waited
for their 'draw'.

Taking everything into consideration, those music industry persons who say
marijuana gives them inspiration are either telling the truth or are
incredibly hooked on the herb.