Jumblat Calls for Legalization of Hashish
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Thursday announced his support for legalizing the cultivation of cannabis in Lebanon, especially in the Bekaa region.
“There should not be any concerns over legalizing and organizing the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, as it would not pose a health risk unless it is turned into an addiction," Jumblat said during an interview on al-Jadeed TV.
"Along with Akkar, the Bekaa is one of the most impoverished regions," said Jumbat, reminscing that the revenues of cannabis in the Bekaa "used to activate the economic cycle" in Lebanon.
The PSP leader condemned the fact that authorities had offered Bekaa's peasants unviable alternative crops, such as saffron.
“It is an easy to cultivate crop, but it needs experience. They cultivate it in Iran and it requires skilled workers,” Jumblat added.
But he stressed that laws must regulate the cultivation, distribution and sale of cannabis and hashish.
Denying that he was seeking to create a shock value through his announcement, Jumblat added: “The health-damaging Captagon narcotic pills are being manufactured (in Lebanon), so wouldn't it be better to return to hashish, which does not affect health, instead of resorting to destructive chemical substances?”
Jumblat's remarks come on the heels of a recent statement by former tourism minister Fadi Abboud, who has recently called for “legalizing the cultivation, export and medical use of cannabis” in order to fund the stalled new wage scale.
A lot of residents in the Bekaa defend the industry as their only source of employment. During Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, Lebanese hashish, which is known for its quality, fed a flourishing industry that generated hundreds of millions of dollars a year in income.
Hashish is a cannabis product derived from the resin of the plant, and produced in large quantities in the Bekaa.
Under pressure from the United States, Lebanon has launched several eradication campaigns, and in past years, the army bulldozed thousands of hectares of cannabis. Farmers had often taken up arms to defend their crop.
Y.R.
01 May 2014, 22:25
27
He is always high and been smoking pot since he was a young junkie
02 May 2014, 00:29
33
it doesnt need that much water when compared to mint or other herbs...
Isn't smoking haram for druze ?
02 May 2014, 00:56
13
It makes no difference whether Jumb smokes Hashish or not because he will always speak nonsense anyway
02 May 2014, 01:35
02
Only if they all would smoke together and see how fast our problem's are put aside. But in Lebanon you are called a hashash, but you can be a drunk and that's all fine.
02 May 2014, 07:57
33
This is by far the most stupid thing I've heard from a Lebanese politician.
He just wants a share in the mafia business and thinks he can "legalize" illegal substances.
Ultimately - it's a poison (with brain cell reducing effects) and shouldn't be legalized.
02 May 2014, 08:55
21
cedar
what's so stupid about it? why not legalize it and generate badly needed income to Lebanon? it certainly is not a poison. it has a lot of medical benefits. I think you should read about it
02 May 2014, 09:38
21
It is definitely a poison buddy. The medical effects you're talking about are effects where the body cells slow down, and in only a few medical conditions it may assist (no more than a hand full)...
The scientific and medical evidence is solid, there is insufficient information about the long term side effects - even when used for medical purposes.
Its clear that the negatives far outweigh the benefits of legalizing it... at least until such time that there is recognised science saying over the long run its okay to use
02 May 2014, 10:47
23
Buddy, what you're saying applies to alcohol and tobacco too.
Fried food also contains carcinogens. Should we ban them too?
Lastly, if it's legalised and taxed, what does that change for you? It being legalised doesn't force you to smoke it. If you're convinced it's bad, no one is forcing you.
02 May 2014, 08:51
21
For once I agree with junblatt we should legalize hashish. it is pretty much legal in the US and I know in California state controlled Marijuana sales have more than covered the state's budget deficit of $80 billion dollars
OMG I can't believe I agreed on something with Junblatt
02 May 2014, 09:04
02
I don't see any problem with that; it is legalized in many states and in Canada for medicinal purposes. Besides, smoking tobacco and alcohol isn't much better anyways. There are many benefits to Cannabis.
02 May 2014, 10:43
23
I completely agree with you. The people criticising it probably visit Amsterdam annually so they can smoke up there, but then say it's haram once they're in Lebanon.
The prohibition of cannabis is like the prohibition of alcohol in the US. A waste of state resources, and the encouragement of criminal activity, to appease the moral values of a conservative minority. It's not based on factual evidence, or on an efficient strategy.
02 May 2014, 11:03
22
Not only we should legalize it but we should force all our MP's to get high maybe they can start getting along and make sense. they are failing now perhaps Cannabis can help them???
02 May 2014, 11:15
03
We can't enforce wearing seat belts, stopping at red lights or even the simplest of road rules how the heck would we be able to enforce and control this? Otherwise cudos to jumby for thinking out side the square.
02 May 2014, 11:36
01
hash = peace. I hope they can spray hash smoke all over the country so that everyone can relax and enjoy life more. We're too stressed in Leb and this is more than a welcome suggestion. Number of people who died from smoking it = Zero in the past 100 years. It's harmless and has no physical addiction. They only negative side of it is the bad stigma around it - they call every kind of drug addict "7eshesh" and we hear a lot of jokes about "M7ashash" (even though the m7ashash person turns out to be witty in these jokes). If you take a look at places like Amsterdam and Jamaica people are happy. We miss really do miss happiness here. I'm not a big fan of Mr. Junblat or any of our lovely set of politicians because each is looking for his own benefits but at the end of the day, if we get a piece of the cake they're gobbling then be it.
02 May 2014, 11:49
40
Just because it won't affect me directly doesn't mean I don't care about the future. Alcohol and tobacco should be banned but because people are already addicted to it it's too hard. In this case we have an opportunity to keep something banned so that the people don't get addicted to it in the first place and then later become impossible to ban.
If they can get medical scientific proof there that there is no bad side effects after long term use then go for it, but they know its worse then alcohol and tobacco that's why no credible scientific journal will release a solid founded result on the matter. It's simply bad and there isn't enough long term information on the medical use side of it.
02 May 2014, 12:02
12
@FT : there is a huge hypocritical contradiction your stance !
You cannot legalize cultivation but not consumption !
1st off, you need to depenalize consumption. Not necessarily legalize it. You cannot treat stoned kids like you treat major drug dealers. Drug dealers which actually get away with it.
Depenalizing also means putting an end to police corruption who make a living out of bribes for turning a blind eye to the people they catch and harass.
I'm also against exporting 100% as cannabis can provide great touristic value to Lebanon and I'm not talking about "stoners" but medical tourism. Hell, even let the stoners enjoy it. It surely beats arab tourists !
In fact, you should have some yourself FT, it would open your mind to truths and wonders and actually make you a peace activist instead of a war loving militia supporter !
02 May 2014, 13:03
22
No you cannot do so. Under your logic, why not legalize the production of Heroin and export it too ? You can make more money out of it !
It's simply the biggest hypocrisy.
Unless you can depenalize consumption or even legalize it, then don't legalize production.
02 May 2014, 18:23
10
Where do you shut me up ? I would never report your posts as they show the world what peaks of irrelevance and nonsense you have reached. Keep on climbing !
Yalla, while you're at it, why don't you legalize and start exporting Hezbollah explosive vehicles. Make sure to make them illegal in lebanon though. It can bring a lot of money to the economy if you export 100% of them !
02 May 2014, 12:18
22
cedar
you really are misinformed. I suggest you do some research. it will show you Cannabis is far less damaging than alcohol or tobacco. the fact that the latters are legal belie the danger and risk they cause
02 May 2014, 12:23
13
Legalize it: money goes to peasants
Penalize it: money goes to dealers scum
Akid legalize it! Since even the americans who have been pressuring us to penalize it, are doing so!
02 May 2014, 12:44
42
Aywa, Jumblat has been modernized, if the West is legislating it, why not us? Right? The next thing Jumblat will tell us, legalize gay marriages. Do I see a camel caravan yet?
02 May 2014, 14:16
21
It really actually sounds like your a bunch of drugged up fools on this site and can't get enough hashish Into your system...
I don't support m14 and I don't support m8 nor the middle guys they all all shit, just like jumblats idea and your arrogant and demeaning heads.
Our society must be built on intelligence not scum and illegal activity, it saddens me that people actually stick up for the wrong thing.
At the end of the day - I know I'm right - I've done the research and been advised by the top people in the medical field on this. There is not supporting evidence that outweighs the negatives and it is worse then tobacco and alcohol from the limited studies that exist.
And FYI you imbeciles in Australia tobacco is banned from public places and universities and cars and it will be soon extended to the point where the tax itself costs 10 times more then the product, making it almost a bad - and it's working great... Addicted people actually try and get off it!
02 May 2014, 19:51
21
Who is buying it from you? the medical organizations that make up 10% of the consumption of the product while the rest is using it for leisure. And if you are selling to organizations that are illegal *wink* *wink* cartels you think the government will allow that?
02 May 2014, 15:06
30
Social moral ethical standards will drop.the mafia will have some legal basis and people will eventually get brainwashed into believing its good or "not bad". but the biggest issue that you haven't thought about is that even if it's legalized you think that Lebanon will be able to export to make money the United States has big time sanctions on drugs (even if internally partially legal) especially from a place like Lebanon. Under UN Law it's illegal to export this stuff. It will never ever be accepted by the UN nor international transit ports and terminals
02 May 2014, 18:18
10
I am all for legalizing weed, prostitution etc... My main concern from an agriculture perspective, we have so much potential in potatoes, Almonds, and other legal products that could bring in as much revenue if not more. There are other ventures where we could start with prior to this. Plus, how do you expect to regulate these industries where we cannot even regulate other areas in the country that are basics. Finally, let's say legalizing weed happens, which country would import it as most of them have it as illegal?
The people wanting it legalized are the Lebanese that do not need it for medication but more for personal enjoyment and are trying justify themselves.
03 May 2014, 17:54
00
Lol you are comparing Marijuana to heroin and other hard drugs?
Do your research :)
15 August 2014, 10:27
00
Before we talk about how good marijuana is for economy, let talk about how good it is to change ourselves & beliefs & try to get out of tht rock shell.. Smoke weed every day after a hard day at work & pass the love to ur children .. The plant tht god created to find ur inner peace... Lots will call me crazy as jumblat, I know tht.. But for those, I wd say u r the ones who need to smoke weed to fix this world.. Just try it & discover it & believe in it& then u will c how everything will fall in peaceful place... Believe
