Hemp: Best Alternative over the Historic Mistake at Historic Jinack?

As the top Activist for worldwide cannabis legalization, I suspect many of you wondered why I was silent over the recent or still ongoing semi-enforcement at Jinack Gambia. The honest reality is I was partially indifferent, understood people will discuss it relatively well, and above all, I like to discuss undiscussed perspectives. Meaning, I tend to wait until the Lord inspires me with what I consider unique or rare. The title claims hemp and how many of those who wrote or spoke about it mentioned hemp? If I claim ' best Alternative', I mean most people condemned the raids without offering solutions, and the few that may suggest then or now will fall under bad, OK, good, or better, and not best. Even the very natives of Jinackans asked for an alternative, but will they appreciate me in much better ways in how Mecca re-appreciated Muhammad (pbuh) after conflicts? When I claim a historic mistake in the title, I mean I will elaborate uniquely to what many already seem to understand more than President Barrow and those who likely misled him. By historic Jinack, I have other articles that confirmed that reality. Still, for my new readers, Jinack is an Island with over 100 years of cannabis cultivation, among other things, and weirdly spared police raids for decades.

Hemp Research Project: Long before the recent cowardly raid, I went to Jinack and advised the village heads about the need to switch from their low quality THC cannabis cultivation to hemp. The leaders showed slight interest, but doubted about the market or financial prospects of hemp. Well, now that they are down and asking for an alternative, it is the perfect timing for the Gambia government to use me or someone else for a special Hemp Research Project in Jinack. With me and special government permits, we can convince and assure them towards what will help the Gambia, Africa, and the world, not just Jinackans.

Considering industrial hemp is very wide, from cultivation planning to rising end products, our first year can safely lean on hemp seeds for a much needed quality supplementary food and beyond. I have the needed expertise from planting to processing, and we can partner up around the world towards diverse hemp products for billions of dollars. Our simple assurance to them is they will make more than what they are making on their low quality cannabis. Our conditions to Jinackans should be reasonable and I will lead that project only if the government gives enough tools and the authority towards success. Those conditions and the limited money for hemp seeds are better discussed behind closed doors.

Environment and lack of Knowledge: Although Jinack has a long history of growing cannabis, they lack enough knowledge about cannabis and I have proven part of it to them. I lived there for months and they largely respected me until a fraction of them cowardly overreacted to a legalization initiative I wanted to organise there. Anyway, I do not think the average Jinackans will doubt I may have much more knowledge about cannabis than they do. Since we are looking at it as a special research project with a team, they will eventually trust us more. The environmental challenges of Jinack are partially real and sometimes exaggerated. Either way, we all know salt intrusion in such an Island is real. Since regular cannabis can grow there, we can certainly assume hemp will grow there with ease. By the way, hemp is just a special name for the type of cannabis with very limited THC content.

Assuring Them Financially: The present predominant strain in Jinack, limited knowledge, and environmental impact of Jinack makes Jinack cannabis a largely 'unpreferred' quality for Gambians. They tend to sell to mainly Senegal, and that is still a struggle or when cannabis supply seems low. So average cannabis farmers in Jinack are still poor, but that can be a temporary blessing in financial assurance towards switching to hemp, and we can sincerely try to help them out of poverty if they comply. Without compliance, high grade cannabis or even hemp can suffer through inter-pollination and fail a project. Again, explaining some of these important details may lengthen the article, so it is best to reserve them for closed door discussions. However, Jinack and other African countries should seriously study these important hints I am giving.

Government Rationale: The Gambian population already understands certain facts. It should not be hard sell for any government to consider hemp research, considering China, Canada, and countless other countries did it to success and loaning or giving us aid. International laws allow it and some national laws can easily be passed for such limited research under cameras. The government can assure buying zero to 25% of the hemp seeds as an example; the hemp project can then sell 25% to 75% in or outside the country. I will recommend the Gambia and every country to demand at least 25% of the products be reasonably offered within the country. The purpose of my writing is not just for Jinack or even only the Gambia, but for poor Africans to have access to nutritious seeds like hempseeds. Africa is guilty of under production in many areas and still guilty of over exporting on some highly needed products in Africa. Elite Africa and the west are already enjoying hemp-seeds by supporting other farmers, so shame on President Barrow, Tinubu, Faye, etc if they want to deny the poorer ones the right to farm even hemp or know the benefits of hempseeds. Allowing the hemp project for only money and not demanding a portion for poorer Gambians or xyz is criminal. Coincidentally, Ghana just started hemp and cannabis licensing for their farmers, while Barrow is going in the wrong direction? It means Ghana will legally and/or illegally serve or 'rob' the Gambia and Senegal more than Jinack, unless we quickly repent towards reality. Well, Ghana has been producing Cacao for mainly the rich or west, because international agreements tend to ignore the poor. It makes sense to demand Ghana and every African country sell at least 10% of its special exports within Africa as a good gesture. Such will help poor countries like the Gambia learn and enjoy the benefits of Cacao more than 'gari' . Again, there are many other things we can discuss behind closed doors to justify it is in the government's interest to consider and sell the hemp project idea.

Historic Mistake: I do not want to repeat what many or average writers already mentioned. People are claiming Jinack was cultivating cannabis since president Jawara's time, but that is an under statement. Jinack and some Gambians were cultivating cannabis before and/or during colonisation days, and slightly after independence. It was during President Nixon's time, in the early 70s, when most of Africa were 'ordered' or pressured to criminalise cannabis against our sleeping populace. Jinack resisted in historic ways and apparently even Jawara seems smarter than Barrow on cannabis? The Gambia never strongly enforced cannabis laws, at least compared to Senegal and many countries. President Jammeh came and is perhaps the most cowardly president in the world of cannabis, but even Jammeh may be better than Barrow in which ways? Jammeh largely left Jinack alone; it was one of his officers (Suwareh) who once raided Jinack while drunk with alcohol and without presidential orders. When Jammeh learned about it, the arrested were released and no further raids occurred. Cannabis Cultivation continued for money, historical reasons, or which historical events for the Gambia and beyond.

So the big questions are not asked or discussed by the mainstream media. What precisely led to this raid is an indirect question to who is the mastermind behind this blunder that God can turn to opportunities upon opportunities? I highly suspect Senegal is gambling on President Barrow, Gambia's sovereignty, and he must quickly be awakened. As said, Senegal is the main buyer of Jinack cannabis, but that should not mean the Gambia to pay an unjust price for their cowardly demands. Gambians buy cannabis from Cassamance (Senegal) or Foni and others, including the u.s now.

The recent illegal boat migration issues at Jinack affects Senegal, the Gambia, and beyond. Again, there are better ways to deal with such. So an ignorant Senegalese or a Gambian may have indifferently sold these raids to Barrow or much lower than Barrow . Did Barrow sign off to these raids through pressure, through ignorance, or which illusions as 'wisdom'?

Although Ch.49 claims some assumptions can be sinful, some lack of assumptions or investigations can be worse sins, or ch.67 demands we use our faculties or deserve hell on earth and/or beyond. I am not anti-Senegal, not dismissing the possibility of Ecowas or Trump being behind it. I am not even dismissing a Gambian or (new Suwareh) did it with or without the knowledge of president Barrow, in the beginning . However, Barrow should not naively think like Jawara, forwarding excuses on judicial matters that have far reaching consequences. One thing is certain, Barrow likely now knows about the raids and does he understand the mistakes and the consequences? Can he rectify the mistakes or blind to his wrongs of inaction? Does he have the courage towards hemp research or just reckless raids without calculations on the months and years ahead? Does he understand what collective resistance is and the impact beyond Jinack?

Effects versus Intentions or laws: First, I called it semi-enforcement because a tiny fraction of those supposed to be arrested by law are arrested. Bad laws should not be enforced, but smartly rectified... When over 75% of two slightly big villages are in cannabis cultivation and you arrest less than one percent, then good luck on your intimidations and illusions. Even if 25% of the villagers stubbornly resist, how will you further confront them at what cost and potential escalations? Which Gambian Journalists can investigate or estimate the cost of the raid per day, did Senegal or xyz paid for it, and how often they plan to raid? The naive can claim they won't replant, but I suspect at least ten percent will replant by next week and gradually increase by percentages. Can the Gambia afford weekly or xyz raiding of two villages, an island, that is bigger than the size of Banjul in land size? Beside financial cost, think about potential escalations with up to gun fights, then think about political cost beyond Jinack.

Political Cost: The political cost of such raids in tiny Gambia is far beyond Jinack. If these raids continue and you refuse this hemp project, 75% to 90% of Jinackans may not vote for Barrow. I wonder which Senegalese or Gambian hates Barrow so much, or whether Barrow drank alcohol to suddenly hate cannabis more than Nixon or the reluctantly retreating Trump? Many politicians still hate cannabis, but dare not say it, let alone escalate the fight against cannabis. Another 10 to 65% of Gambian youths are very much against this raid, and some will not vote Barrow due to this raid. If smart politicians use the facts in ways Barrow never expected, he will lose a lot more votes. I know some of your advisors may tell you the bleaching women are more in numbers, but even those who avoided raiding Jinack had those. A hemp research project in Jinack will not turn those guilty women against you, it may help you gain both votes and money more than the indirect spending from present cannabis sales. Also, remember these angry youths may turn to other criminal activities against all of us, unless we help them in a better direction.

Historic Jinack: As said, every country should try to have ways and means of selling special places, products, and services. This raid reduces the way we can sell Jinack as a special island in world history, not just African history. A history that says : come visit Jinack Island that the Gambia and Interpol never raided even at the height of the crazy war against cannabis is nice and can add tourists as new tourist attractions are built there. Well, that narrative was semi-destroyed by Suwareh, but Jammeh was not a total dumb. Raided only twice and amended towards a special research project that may invent new special hemp products is for the visionaries, not the followers or non-thinkers.

My take on Cannabis and Jinack: Although I still believe in worldwide cannabis legalization, I sometimes do not use cannabis for weeks or months, including right now. Perhaps hemp flower strains may work for me best... Although regular cannabis is largely good to me, I like perfect or near perfect strains, effects. So when the Lord seemingly demands stop, I stop even sex at times, take a break... In regards to Jinack, I fought with some of them like no individual ever fought with them and I largely won, except financially. Over 50% of the youths in Jinack have enormous respect or even love for me, even after our fight. I went back there multiple times and some of those who wanted me out are now dead, out of the world, not just Jinack. My point is I can win an election in Jinack above Barrow and Ousainou Darboe if Jinack was a country and a fair playing field exists. This makes me one of the most suitable candidates to lead the negotiations for peace, even if you do not want me to lead the hemp research project. After our fight, some people despised me in resisting them, but even those ones largely subdued and have respect for me. In one of our disputes, meetings, or confrontations, I bluntly told them they are being cowards in the fight for cannabis legalization, that I fight for cannabis legalization internationally and even in the presence of president Barrow in my limited visits at the state House. They asked me what president Barrow told me, and I responded that is a private conversation and I am not telling them the details. It was not like super sensitive information, but I wanted to show Jinackans that I am not afraid of them and they cannot coerce me even when I seem helpless. Imagine tiny Jarga surrounded by largely crazy Jinack heads in a confrontational meeting, while the good Jinackans are in their compounds, and I essentially stood my ground. President Barrow can call them or use his local government minister to call the village head and VDC members to confirm the story I am putting on the Internet and Jinackans will read it, not deny the facts. I was with no friend or family member, but the spirit of God helped me to be strong, and may I be forever strong and protected from every harm. May my enemies fail or be subdued by any means necessary.

This story is vital in many ways: You want to send there someone who is not afraid of them more than the soldiers with guns. Someone who love them and largely loved by many there to be trusted with negotiations of mutual uplifting. Someone with a verifiable record of keeping secrets where need be, but will reveal to the public what I deem just public interest in due time. A recorded video welcome or meeting can all be on the table. The video recordings are not to prosecute anyone in Jinack, but to show president Barrow and others that I can be diplomatic, but the job of an Activist demands tough language at times. You can send me alone or others you may trust more to rectify the blunders with enough re-educating of Jinackans and beyond. I am fairly certain that Jinackans will largely welcome a hemp research project that guarantees them more than their usual earnings and may lead to billions from Jinack alone, and many more billions for the Gambia and beyond. I hope those closer to Barrow will deeply reflect on the mentioned issues. The problems can get worse towards international news, the proposed solution is feasible and executable now, the prospects are endless and in the hands of the Lord of the rising hemp industries of the world. May God facilitate great understanding between Gambians and beyond. May God bless Showlove Trinity: let's learn, let's work, let's have fun.

By Jarga Kebba Gigo
An Activist and Transformer
Author of Juts Quhr-aahn