Imagine that there is a fair trade system for the production and sale of marijuana. Is it hard?
Afghan farmers have for centuries grown cannabis, in order to produce hashish.
Read carefully now;
The farmers are currently being paid around 200 dollars per kilo they produce, while the end consumer pays about 16,000 dollars per kilo.
Why? 98% of the profit goes mainly to organised criminals and corrupt politicians, who dominate the international trade for this product.
Why fair trade then?
With a fair trade system a farmer could be paid about 4,000 dollars per kilo, instead of 200 dollars. The end consumer could then pay about 8,000 dollars. If this business would be legalised and properly organised it would allow a larger proportion of the income that is generated to remain in the developing countries producing the marijuana. It would then be invested in vital factors for development, such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
Currently is opium and coca main crops produced in developing countries due to it gives a higher salary. The highly dangerous drugs made from these crops have enriched warlords, organised criminals, politicians and even fund terrorism. A fair price for hashish would allow farmers to generate a liveable income by growing Cannabis on a small part of their land while still producing food for themselves.
Cannabis is then a better option and better crop in every way:
To the land, to the farmers and to the end consumer.
So, smoke pot?
Source - Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum - Amsterdam: Booklet
Picture: http://hashmuseum.com/the-collection
