Caribbean ganga, largely a JA affair, fed about 20% of world consumption in those days. Today it accounts for less than 5%. "Ganja has been mashed up just like everything we grow", says Thomas, 66, who for 40 years has been growing the hemp on the 6-acre plot his grandfather once used to grow tomatoes and cucumbers. One reason for his anonimity is an agreement by the Jamaican government that allows American agents to burn illegal crops. In 1991, JA produced 705 tons of ganja. 1997 figures show a yield of 235 tons.

By the early 1980's, ganja had gained widespread local acceptance with the blessing of Reggae heroes like Bob Marley. But it had also earned the full attention of America's drug fighters. Thomas says his fields were scorched 4 times. The U.S. eradication drive also boosted the price for ganja in North America, ganja's largest market. Americans and Canadians responded by growing their own hardier strains. Mexican marijuana has also cut into Jamaica's market. Although of poore quality, officials say more is flowing into the U.S. with the increase in legitimate trade under NAFTA.

Despite the sharp decline in the world, the local market keeps a slimmed down industry relatively healthy.

The plant was originally brought to the island by Indian endentured laborers in the 19th century. Plantation owners used it as a medicinal herb. Then its popularity spread with the advent of Rastafari in the 1930's, whose adherents consider the herb holy. As Reggae music broadened ganja's appeal, it began to filter through the island's rigid class structure.

"I'll never quit growing ganja", says Thomas with a sly grin. "What would I smoke?" - (2/27/01)

St. Croix, Virgin Islands(VI News)- When EPA Administrator Bill Muszynski flew over the soth shore of St. Croix, he couldn't help but see the long brown streak of effluent from the Cruzan Rum factory that stains the turquoise water. He said the rum factory has had a Clean Water Act waiver from the EPA to discharge its molasses byproduct since 1992. Based on earlier studies, the discharge was deemed unsightly but not harmful to the marine environment. Now however, the EPA suspects it might be toxic and is looking into imposing new restrictions.

Many times throughout a 2-hour hearing Muszynski, deputy administrator of Region 2 for 14 years, alluded to the V.I government's failure over the years to maintain its waste management infrastructure. Region 2 includes the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, New York and New Jersey. "The travesty is, you could never get away with this in New York or New Jersey", he said. "Public outrage would be phenomenal."

In relation to solid waste, both Virgin Islands landfills are under EPA consent orders. The consent orders mean the landfills are operating out of compliance with EPA regulations. The EPA has proposed denying the governments solid waste program, but has not issued a final decision.

Wastewater treatment is only slightly better. A new treatment plant is under construction on St. Thomas and-for now-both pumping stations are in working order. However the EPA is still deciding whether to deny the V.I.'s Clean Water Act waiver. If it does, the territory will have 3 years to build new facilities at a cost of $20 million.

"We're going to keep this up", said Muszynski. "At least we can make people more aware of what we're doing." - (3/13/01)

Vieques, Puerto Rico (VI News)- Barely reacting as Navy warships once again began shelling the island, residents and anti- Navy protesters quietly prepared for public hearings to plan the future civilian use of the land now controlled by the Navy. Residents made final arrangements for several international delegations scheduled to arrive on the island to share their experience dealing with U.S. base closures and cleanups. The delegations include representatives from Ecuador, Hawaii, Korea, Panama and the U.S.

The Navy has controlled 24,000 of the island's 33,000 acres since World War II, leaving a swath in the middle where 9,300 civilians live between a bombing range to the east and a munitions depot to the west, enduring 180 days each year of bombing exercises. Congress has yet to decide whether the Navy will turn over its 8,000-acre ammunition facility on the western end of the island as part of a good-will package to persuade the people of Vieques to let the Navy continue bombing in the east.

The Navy has acknowledged 19 sites where nearly 500 acres of land in the west were contaminated with substances Navy spokesman Lt. Jeff Gordon called,"really minor, very down-in-the-weeds kind of stuff."

Gordon said that Vieques residents were jumping the gun. "It would be self-defeating for me to sit down with these people, especially if are presuming that the Navy is going to leave. We're still here. We're not gone yet." - (8/15/01)

RECENT NOTEWORTHY NEWS FROM THE CARIBBEAN

St. Lucia(CANA-7/2/99)- To prove she did not steal a tin of ham from a supermarket, a Barbabian woman lifted her clothes in front of an officer.

The woman was caught with a friend by a security officer, who noticed the woman placing the tin of ham under her clothes. She was then taken to the police station.

While there, she asked to use the toilet. Upon questioning, she reportedly lifted her dress to show that she hadn't been wearing panties. The panties were found in the toilet tank and the woman was fined $185.

St. George's, Grenada(CANA-7/24/99)- The reveling Catholic priest is at it again. Father Gerard Paul is again preparing to lead his mas band on the road during the August Carnival. Father Paul shocked many here last year after launching "Who Let the Dogs Out."

This year, he and his band of revelers are back with an experience from the Balkans which he calls "Kosovo Explodes." Father Paul states, "We have good plans. I can't tell you about it, but we have sections on everything that happens in a war."

Last year, Father Paul's initiative drew criticism from some who felt a priest shouldn't be involved in Carnival. But the priest who leads a Carnival band says playinf mas is part of the Catholic faith. "I do not consider it to be such a radical move. Maybe it's a little bit new in Grenada but over in Trinidad, priests play mas all the time."

Georgetown, Cayman Islands(AP-7/24/99)- The government here has reversed a decision to oust children of ex-patriate parents from crowded public schools.

"All work permit holders with dependents in public schools will no longer be required to find alternative schooling for those students when their work permit comes up for renewal," the government stated.

About half of the Cayman's 42,000 residents are ex-patriates, many of them U.S., Canadian and British citizens working in the off-shore banking industry. The government itself employs 1,000 ex-patriates.

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands(VI News/CANA-8/2/99)- After 2 volcanic eruptions, scientists say that the Soufriere Hills volcano is quiet, but the Montserrat Association of St. Thomas/St. John have decided it's time to make some noise. The association is planning to petition the British government on behalf of Montserratians still living with the effects of the island's volcanic activity.

"I think the time has come for us to get together and write to the English government, pointing out that 300 people still living in shelters is unacceptable," an association spokesperson said. "Someone has to speak up for the people in Montserrat because they're not getting a fair shake. They deserve much better."

Soufriere Hills erupted twice in one week, whiched pushed volcanic ash 15,000 feet into the air. The gas-induced explosions left a widespread surge of hot ash and pyroclastic flows in 3 valleys.

Montserrat Association members have grave concerns for Montserratians living abroad. They said their concerns stem from medical professionals who reported respiratory damage caused by the ashy residue of the Volcano.

The Soufriere Hills volcano first erupted in 1995 and claimed roughly 2/3 of the island. Most of the island's 12,000 people fled to nearby islands, the U.S., and Britain.

Archived News (1999 -2000)

"A noble failure may be of more value than a petty success. The man who sets his goals too low and accepts too little as enough, squanders the talents and abilities with which Almighty JAH and Nature have endowed him. Let us set our goals too high; let us demand more of ourselves than we believe we posess."

H.I.M. Haile I. Selassie I