Ghana's Ganja

[Wonk]

What if a poor African country could grow a plant that would fetch healthy prices in the U.S? What if the plant could be grown on small farms, encouraging democracy in this poor African country by putting cash into the hands of its poorest and most powerless people? What if such a plant could reduce the poor African country's dependence on the U.S. for aid?

Of course, the U.S. would cheer such a plant and the country that grows it. And President George Bush would be especially glad, since improving living standards in Africa is one of his key global objectives.

(snip)

That's right, good pot sells for $6 an ounce in Ghana. Here is the highest stage of capitalism Ð the free market Ð in action.

Ghana is one of the most peaceful countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The country rarely sees any violence (a benefit of pot-smoking?), has a democratically elected government and boasts one of the freest societies in Africa. Pot has been grown and smoked in the country for decades, drawing little comment. In Accra, the coastal capital of Ghana, people smoke discreetly, to be sure, because the sale and possession of pot is technically illegal. But pot is easy to purchase, arrests are rare, and smoking is popular, especially among American and European aid workers in the country.

(snip)

Ghana is one of the losers in the world's experiment with widening trade. Goods flood into Ghana from China, Brazil, Mexico, even the U.S. And not just manufactured products either. Butter is imported from France, pasta and canned tomatoes from Italy, rolled oats from Germany and rice from the U.S. Because the cost of producing and shipping these foods is subsidized by European, U.S. and Canadian governments, their cost in Ghana is sometimes less than it is in the country of origin. And even if it isn't, these imports ruin the lives of African food producers. American rice, imported into Ghana, sells for substantially less than rice grown in Ghana.

more...
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=49269

[Bhaisahab]

1. yeah man. the world needs pot.

pot makes u wise.

[nuxvomica]

2. Interesting stuff

I can guess how this plays out: as more drug-war money flows into Ghana, civil rights take a nose dive and the industry goes deeper underground providing little stimulation to an already languishing economy. An increasingly oppressed populace nurtures an insurgency movement that alligns with the pot producers..etc.