Cannabis and Cuba

Cuba is the country that stood up to the United States and established a form of government that made it enemies with the US and friends with China and Russia. In spite of the political ideological differences between Cuba and the USA, and the similarities in political ideologies between Cuba, Russia and China, one thing common to all these countries is that they have banned the cannabis plant and they actively pursue the implementation of this ban in their respective countries.

Cuba which has adopted an agenda that is supposed to ensure affordable education, universal healthcare and employment, has in one way become a reflection of China where people are free in some ways only. China now boasts of great economic and military growth while Cuba boasts of high levels of public health. But on many factors Cuba is as restrictive as China regarding its people's freedoms and as regressive as the federal US when it comes to recognizing the herb of the people.

Cuba, like all countries of the world, surely has its indigenous cannabis varieties and a long history of cultivating and consuming cannabis. Yet it has been as ready as any other country in the world to accept the cannabis prohibition for recreational use pushed through by the US through the UN. You would have expected Cuba in its defiance of Western value systems to resist the prohibition of cannabis but it also buckled just like any other pro-US country. One of the reasons for siding with the US with regard to cannabis prohibition probably is the same thinking that drove US actions. People who smoke cannabis will be liberal and free thinking. They are likely to question and speak out against repressive and restrictive government policies. That would not do good for a government that thinks it knows what is best for its people and that people should be controlled rather than served. Also the Cuban tobacco lobby which produces the world's Cuban cigars and the alcohol companies that make Cuban rum probably have a say in the matter as do the other big businesses opposed to cannabis which surely thrive in Cuba as well. Russian and Chinese political influence on Cuba driven by funding from the big businesses in these countries is also strongly opposed to cannabis. Yet the cannabis culture still thrives underground in Cuba and has not been completely repressed, thankfully for its people.

With growing awareness and the resurgence of cannabis, it is high time that the Cuban government legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. Uruguay and Canada were bold enough to take the step and are reaping the benefits. Fifteen US states have done so too with more joining the number at a rapid pace. In Cuba, it will introduce a truly universal medicine into the healthcare system at very affordable rates as everyone can at a minimum grow the plant at home. This will reduce the dependency on pharmaceutical companies whether state run or private bring down the overall cost of healthcare significantly. Cannabis will provide farmers with a sustainable agricultural crop that has great market value and can be exported to various global markets. Cannabis will spawn a number of sustainable industries that will go a long way in reducing the harm to the environment as well as providing jobs and boosting the economy. Cannabis taxes can fund education and public infrastructure projects as it is being done in the US. Cannabis will reduce the harms from alcohol, tobacco, methamphetamine, heroin and other opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, novel psychotropic substances and abuse of prescription drugs that have surely moved in to replace cannabis in the recreational space especially among urban youth. Cannabis will infuse fresh thinking and perspectives into Cuban society and that will do good for everybody.

The prohibition of cannabis affects the people who need it the most, the poorest, the minorities, the indigenous communities, the elderly, the ill, the youth and women. All these are the very demographics that an inclusive political system is supposed to protect and the very ideals based on which the Cuban revolution happened. Yet these are the demographics that suffer the most because of cannabis prohibition. Cannabis can be a huge boost to tourism, food, beverages, wellness and research. Last but not least, Cuban cannabis, like Cuban cigars and Cuban rum could become a global brand, if sufficient unique varieties have been safeguarded so far and if the expertise of farmers can be leveraged once again to produce it at full scale.

It is time for the Cuban government, and all governments around the world, to realize that true progress of people happens when they are empowered to use their creative spirits freely and to be open and transparent. That is when a nation truly matures and thrives, not by strict control and spoon feeding which are the steps taken to bring up toddler nations.

Listed below are articles taken from various media related to the above subject. Words in italics are the thoughts of your truly at the time of reading the article.    


'As dusk falls, groups of men and women, from various parts of the world, pour into the streets with their guitars and drums, and what follows is a hearty, carefree gig with many of them dancing late into the night. Beer bottles pass hands. Occasionally the smell of marijuana wafts in the air. Yet another group of kindred spirits dance around a bonfire on the beach. “Got some stuff on you, man?” a grimy-looking guy, braids and all, asks me. It’s nirvana place, on the Pacific coast.'
https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/surprises-in-a-small-package/article5354665.ece


'It is a rare day in Cuba when the Communist Party’s triumphalist newspaper suggests that the government — just maybe — messed up. Or when the party’s chief ideologist renounces government secrecy. Or a salsa star, performing at an official concert, calls for the freedom to vote and to smoke marijuana.'
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/cubas-miniglasnost-results-in-greater-tolerance/article5438701.ece


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