Name of Student: Name of School: Munro College Name of Course: Communication Studies Theme/Topic: Legalization of Marijuana in Jamaica: Health and Social Implications vs Financial Benefits Teacher’s Name: Ms. Ann-Marie L. Powell Territory/Country: Jamaica Centre Number: 100082 Student’s Registration Number: Year of Examination: 2017 Page |1 Acknowledgement Firstly, I would like to thank God for providing me with the strength to work on this portfolio. Secondly, I would like my teacher Ms. Powell for the ceaseless assistance and advice that she provided throughout the course of this paper. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their support and advice that shed a whole new light on my approach to this paper. Page |2 Table of Contents General Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-5 Preface-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Reflective Piece---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-9 Analytical Essay------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-11 Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Bibliography------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Page |3 GENERAL INTRODUCTION The issue that the researcher has been confronted with is one that has dominated media, homes and Parliament. This issue takes the form of marijuana and its financial benefits juxtaposed with the social and health implications. The big question of course is whether or not the social and health implications outweigh the financial benefits. In the Jamaican context, the researcher has noted the perceived interest in the financial benefits of Marijuana and the added revenue that could be generated. Despite this, there is also the ages old problem of the health and social issues caused by marijuana usage. Many Jamaicans have attributed madness to the plant and as such there has been an ages old stigma attached to its use. The researcher had a clear-cut interest that manifested itself in relation to his career, his academic interest and of course, personally. In terms of his career, the researcher is interested in becoming a lawyer and a research of this nature that deals with whether or not the law surrounding Marijuana usage should be repealed, further gives the researcher some amount of insight into his career choice. In terms of the personal reasons, the researcher lives in a community where marijuana is farmed extensively. To add to that, many young men and women have been negatively affected through marijuana usage. This research will make the researcher aware of the dangers of marijuana usage which he will be able to spread to those same young men and women who are marijuana users. Finally, the researcher is interested in this topic academic wise because he is currently doing law which focuses and deals with the changing nature of society in relation to laws. As a law student, this research has strengthened his knowledge base and has cemented the essential principles of law. The theme for this portfolio is “Legalization of Marijuana in Jamaica” and the topic is “Health and Social Implications Vs Financial Benefits”. The components of the portfolio deal with the topic and theme wholeheartedly. There is an expository essay that is to be presented orally. The essay deals with contrasting views on the issue of the health and social implications juxtaposed with the financial benefits. In this body of work, the author, source and content of each article will be evaluated. The portfolio includes a reflective piece that takes the form of a short story entitled “Smoky Death”. The reflective piece dealt with the life of a young man who dropped out of school and began to plant marijuana. He eventually began to use it himself and this led to some social problems and health implications. The story ends with the young man dying because he accepted “synthetic marijuana” that was actually spiked with another substance. Also, an analytical essay was presented and it dealt with the use of dialectal variation, communicative behaviour and language registers in the reflective piece. In order to fully understand the characters and their social backgrounds, the focus was placed on Dialectal variations and Language Registers which aided the researcher immensely in his attempt to present the issue in a clear manner. The researcher created this portfolio with the intention of making persons aware of the dangerous health and social implications that occur, which far outshine the financial benefits that may accrue. The researcher also hoped to draw some attention to the fact that many Page |4 young men turn to marijuana due to the absence of a father figure and their own personal problems. It is the researcher’s hope that the portfolio will encourage some amount of awareness on the part of the reader and that it will invoke some amount of wariness as it relates to Marijuana. SCORE: THEME: 2/2 TREATMENT OF THEME AND PURPOSE: 3/4 RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC INTEREST: 2/2 RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONAL INTEREST: 2/2 RELATIONSHIP TO WORK-RELATED INTEREST: 2/2 SCORE: 11/12 Page |5 Preface The short story entitled “Smoky Death” was written to highlight the health and social implications of marijuana and compare them to the financial benefits. The story begins with a young man Johnny who has fallen prey to marijuana. He lives with his mother only as his father appears to have abandoned them or is dead. The absence of a father figure could have been the reason for the young man’s reliance on marijuana. Johnny, a high school dropout, fails to realize the negative effects the drug is having on him mentally and goes as far to strangle his mother who seemingly was in support of his planting marijuana, the only thing allowing him to live a lavish lifestyle. His planting of marijuana has made him a prime target especially after its legalisation. Carl, Johnny’s partner, had seemingly spoken to a white man who wanted to purchase the crop from him. The deal ends with Johnny being offered marijuana that is laced with a harmful substance that results in his death. This story was written to enlighten the readers about marijuana and its negative effects. The story shows two sides, the positive side which would be the financial gain, and the negative side - the social problems in terms of family relationships and the health issues also. Despite the fact that many believe that smoking marijuana does not kill, we must realize that “laced marijuana” and even marijuana in general, leaves one open for heart problems and even respiratory illnesses. The intended audience would be those from the impressionable years of eleven to the responsible years of 20. The reason for this is simple; this age range tackles those that are going through the transitional age and those that are going to become the men and fathers of tomorrow. The targeted socio-economic background would be the lower-class members of society as they are often more susceptible to marijuana production and use because of their dire finances. This story would appeal to Jamaicans as there has been a long-standing debate on the legalisation of marijuana and many Jamaicans grow marijuana in large quantities to supplement their income. This story could be published on Caribbean Beat.com, the health section of the Jamaica Gleaner and the Flair magazine in the Jamaica Gleaner. There could also be a dramatization based on this that could be placed on the Youtube page of the Jamaica Information Service, an organization dedicated to speaking of Jamaican affairs and events. In addition to this, the dramatization could be posted on the Instagram page of the Ministry of Health. These media would definitely reach the target audience and would attract their interest especially when one considers the interest teens have in social media. This story could also be used in seminars and information sessions on the dangers of marijuana. SCORE: 4/4 Page |6 Reflective Piece Smoky Death “Johnny!!!” yelled Christina. “Where have you been?” Johnny’s heavy eyelids opened just a fraction of an inch to look upon his furious mother. “Mi did jus a bun a spliff mums. Jus cool nuh man.” Johnny’s mother looked with sorrow at her only child and saw within him the horrendous qualities of his father, a man who was the devil incarnate. “Johnny baby, please stop destroying yourself. Don’t you see what’s happening to you?” Johnny however wasn’t in any talking mood and simply sank to the floor. Johnny woke up in his bed with a leaden weight on his shoulders. His head throbbed as though someone were trying to pry open his skull. The lights were on and glinted off his many trophies and certificates he had on display in his room. Immediately, thoughts of his high school days and the many great things he had done flooded his brain. That was a long time ago. Six years was almost a life time ago. It had been six long years since he had dropped out of high school. Planting marijuana was the only thing that allowed him to live comfortably. It was this life style that made him into the success he was; so much more than any of his high school friends who had suffered the torture of attending not only high school but university. He climbed out of his massive bed and reached across to his nightstand for his phone. It wasn’t there. He looked on the marble tiles to see if it fell and noticed a muddy footstep. “Mommy mus have it” he thought. His temper raging, he stepped through the wide doorframe into the hallway. As he entered the living room his blood red eyes fell upon his mother looking through his phone. He blinked and in a moment, he was throttling his wide-eyed mother. “J..Johnny!” she managed to utter. Johnny seemed to recover from his rage and released his mother. Christina lay on the floor gasping and coughing. Johnny retreated to the darkest corner of the room and began to look incredulously at his hands. “Johnny, you need help. The marijuana you are always consuming is finally affecting your brain. Look at what you just did? Why did you start smoking it? This wasn’t the plan!” cried Christina. “You had no problem when I started planting it” grunted Johnny in the coldest manner he could muster. Page |7 “You know what? Get out!!” screamed Christina. Johnny hissed his teeth. He stepped into his room only to grab his keys from his pockets. Soon the engine of the Mercedes roared to life and a cloud of dust engulfed him as he fled the farm. As Johnny drove, his boiling blood made his vision turn red. He searched for his favourite radio station. Soon the mesmeric voice of Teddy Pendergrass caressed his ears and slowed his racing heart. Johnny settled further into his seat and began to belt out the hits that came on. The singing stopped and Johnny pounded the steering wheel. His life was about to change forever. “Breaking news! It is official.” He grabbed the steering wheel tighter, all breathing ceased. “Marijuana has been legalised in Jamaica!” the news reporter announced to the world. “Parliamentary officials stated that the bill tabled by the Jamaica Labour Party was passed in both the lower house and upper house. The bill will be made law by the end….” He had waited years for this. Johnny almost jumped out of his seat. He couldn’t believe his ears. His ten acres of highgrade was ready for harvesting. He rubbed his palms in anticipation and quickly regained control of the vehicle. It was the perfect time to introduce it to the market. He spun the car around and headed for the farm. A figure looming in the thick darkness caused him to stop abruptly. “Yow a who dat? Mi have one gun enuh!” he threatened aloud. “Yow bredda, a me, relax” “Oh. Carl a you dat? So why yuh a hide inna di bush?” “Johnny, a dangerous times enuh, mi nah take no chances.” Johnny alighted from the car and handed Carl a large brown envelope. “Oh, a di funds dis, respeck mi G.” “Yeah man, you doing a good job.” As Carl and Johnny trudged through the bush, they spoke about what had happened on the news and the new opportunities presented. The weeds that they waded through seemed to pull at their ankles in a desperate attempt to stop them. They finally got to the clearing and surveyed the massive land. The moonlight gave the land an eerie feeling and highlighted the drops of silver on the valuable leaves. “Johnny, mi mek a link fi you enuh.” “eehh? Wid who?” “One White man weh did live round by your ends one time. Him seh him want everyting from off a yuh field.” “Everyting?” asked Johnny in a most incredulous manner. “Yeah man, mi invite him fi come pree di land.” “Yuh mean tonight?” Page |8 “Yeah Johnny.” “See him down by di bottom a di field.” Johnny looked carefully and saw indeed a fair skinned man standing there. He walked briskly down to the man with Carl lagging behind. “Evening Sah” “Good Evening Sir” The man was fat, with greasy hair that fell over his eyes. His clothes were well pressed and his eyes were like black orbs. “Mi hear seh yuh want mi crops.” “Yes mate indeed I do. The crops that you have here will fetch a hefty price when they are shipped to America. I own a multimillion-dollar company that manufactures medicine using this gorgeous plant. Your companion was quite convincing when he spoke of your illustrious plants and their potency.” Johnny’s serious demeanour changed to a smile. He began to imagine a life far better than he ever dreamed of. The man was too rich to turn down. Johnny’s imagination went wild as he thought of the luxury cars he could add to his growing collection, not to mention the yacht he would now be able to afford. “Bwoy sah, mi like fi hear dem tings deh. So how much yuh willing fi pay? A 7 mill or wah?’” “Well, that sounds quite reasonable. It is definitely within my means, Bloke.” “Ah mad, so when you ago want it?” “Tomorrow would be perfect. To show my appreciation I brought along a bag of my company’s synthetic marijuana. Would you like to try it?” “Yeah man!” responded an overly eager Johnny. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come. Life as he knew it would be no more. He took the proffered spliff and lit it. One drag on it had him spluttering and gasping for air. He shook his head as if trying to dispel what was happening but his knees became wobbly and his heart raced as if trying to escape his chest. He beckoned to Carl who seemed unperturbed. “Carl! A one grabba!” The man gave Johnny the marijuana and he proceeded to light it. The marijuana was very strong and he found himself coughing after the first puff. His knees became wobbly and his heart began to race toward the finishing line. “Carl!! A one grabba” Carl grinned an evil grin and looked at the man at his side. Johnny fell to the ground convulsing. His heart was tired. It raced no more. Page |9 Analytical Essay The story entitled ‘Smoky Death’ and written by __________________, highlights the dangers of marijuana usage and its effect on the family and health. The writer carefully utilizes dialectal variation, communicative behaviour and language registers in his Communication Studies SBA. However, in order to fully understand the characters and their social backgrounds, the focus will be on Dialectal variation and Language Registers. Dialectal Variation refers to changes in language due to various influences. These include social, geographic, individual and group factors. These changes in language are typically limited to members of a particular speech community. In the story, the writer has employed the use of Standard English, Foreign English and Jamaican Creole. Foreign English is seen in the foreigner’s use of the words ‘bloke’ and ‘mate’ which point to a European background. To add to that, the use of this variety shows that the person has spent a great deal of time overseas and as such, he either has not learnt the lingo of the natives such as Johnny or he simply refuses to “stoop” to their standards and employ what many see in Jamaica as the “poor man’s language” otherwise known as Jamaican Creole. Jamaican Creole dominates most of the short story and it points to the educational background of the characters. For example, Johnny’s response to the foreigner after being told of the multimillion dollar company “Bwoy sah, mi like fi hear dem tings deh. So how much yuh willing fi pay? A 7 mill or wah?” This indicates a lower educational background and class. The writer employs this variety in order to cast some light on the fact that those who are prevalent users of marijuana utilize the vernacular which, sadly, indicates a lack of education. This variety also gives away the educational background of Johnny who reveals that he is a high school dropout. Another language variety utilized in the story is Standard English. This is seen in the foreigner’s conversation with Johnny, particularly when speaking about his company. The foreigner said, “I own a multimillion-dollar company that manufactures medicine using this gorgeous plant.” This is of the acrolectal variety and it points to a polished somewhat high standard of speech indicative of an educated person. This could also be a means by which the foreigner attempts to persuade Johnny of his riches. These three varieties play important roles in the story. Worthy of mention is the fact that the story is narrated in Standard English which gives it a universal appeal. The second area of language use is language register. This is said to be “A speaker’s word choice and syntactic ordering of his or her speech or written act in a particular social context.” The clever usage of the private, intimate, formal and casual registers shows the type of relationship between the characters and gives the reader an idea of what to expect from each conversation. For example, the foreigner’s use of ‘Good Evening Sir’ when replying to Johnny indicates a formal conversation. This means that the foreigner has respect for Johnny because he wants to purchase the large amount of marijuana that he has planted. This contrasts with Johnny’s use of the casual register when addressing his partner and possible P a g e | 10 friend, Carl. “Oh. Carl a you dat? So why yuh a hide inna di bush?” Here, the register points to a somewhat equal rank which is why Carl doesn’t see it as necessary to speak to Johnny in a formal manner as is seen in his reply, “Johnny, a dangerous times enuh, mi nah take no chances.” Also, Carl is most likely from the area which seems to be a farming community hence his use of the casual register and by extension, the Jamaican Creole. Johnny’s conversation with himself when searching for his phone “Mummy mus have it” points to a sense of distrust and implies that this isn’t the first time that his mother has taken his phone. The private register used here seemingly warns of an incoming situation that will be awful. Finally, the intimate register as used between Johnny and his mother shows a good mother and son relationship that goes sour because of marijuana. For example, “Johnny baby, please stop destroying yourself. Don’t you see what’s happening to you?” This sentence shows the love that Christina has for Johnny as her son and shows that she is in fact concerned for his health. The use of the word ‘baby’ could be seen as an attempt to persuade Johnny to stop smoking marijuana. The language registers and dialectal variations employed in this story by the writer, helped to create and mold a distasteful impression of marijuana and its effects. They also helped to show the social standing of the characters and the difference in class. All in all, the use of dialectal variation and language registers were employed quite skillfully and were easy to identify throughout the story. SCORE: CONTENT: 7/8 EXPRESSION: 5/5 ORGANIZATION: 5/5 TOTAL: 17/18 P a g e | 11 Conclusion The researcher can conclusively say that he has effectively explored the issues surrounding the topic of ‘Legalization of Marijuana in Jamaica: Health and Social Implications vs Financial Benefits’. The key issues that were dealt with include whether or not the financial benefits outweigh the health and social implications, the damaging effects marijuana has on the user and his/her family at large and the prevalence of marijuana usage amongst single parent households where there is no father present. Throughout this paper, the researcher has conclusively presented information relevant to the topic through the proper execution of the expository, reflective and analytical pieces. The researcher utilized these sections to show the health and social issues associated with marijuana use which were juxtaposed with the financial benefits. The sections were also used to bring some level of awareness to the dangers of Marijuana usage and the debilitating effects it has on health and social behaviours. In carrying out this research, the researcher has become aware of previously unknown illnesses associated with marijuana usage, the enormous financial benefit that can accrue from marijuana sales and the damaging effect marijuana has on single parent households. It is the researcher’s hope that this study will enlighten readers on the dangers of Marijuana and the financial benefits also. The completion of this portfolio has equipped the researcher with skills for the future such as public speaking skills, proper use of dialectal variations and of course communicative behaviours. This research has been very educational and beneficial. P a g e | 12 Bibliography https://thinkprogress.org/5-states-weighing-marijuana-legalization-would-reap-enormouseconomic-benefits-study-suggests-cb06831d154b. 2 Feb 2017 National Institute on Drug Abuse. “How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life?.” https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-doesmarijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life, 20 Jan. 2017 Pyke, Alan. " Marijuana’s $2.4 billion impact in Colorado is a lesson for 5 states considering legalization." 28 Jan. 2017 . P a g e | 13
