THE second Kaya Fest is scheduled for Nos Events Center in San Bernardino, California, this weekend with a number of high-profile acts on the two-day show.
First held in January last year at Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, it is the brainchild of the Marley family who will again figure prominently. This year, Kaya Fest is over two days with tomorrow being opening day.
Stephen Marley, one of five sons of reggae legend Bob Marley who will perform, said the objective is to educate attendees on the benefits of ganja. He, his brothers and their children are also using the occasion to mark the 40th anniversary of Kaya, Marley’s 1978 album that saluted the embattled plant.
Ziggy, eldest of Marley’s sons, Ky-Mani, Julian and Damian are also down to perform on Kaya Fest. So too JoMersa Marley and Bambaata Marley, Stephen and Ziggy’s sons, and Skip Marley, son of their sister Cedella.
Tom Morello, former guitarist of rock band Rage Against The Machine; Third World, Inner Circle, Marcia Griffiths, Toots And The Maytals, Kabaka Pyramid, Chronixx, Lauryn Hill and Cypress Hill are also on the roster.
Wayne Jobson, a Jamaican music industry insider and ganja advocate, has lived in Southern California for 30 years. He said Kaya Fest is being held at a critical juncture in ganja exploration and legislation.
“Kaya Fest helps to unite and raise the consciousness of huge groups of music fans and teach them the magical healing powers of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol. Marley Natural herb will bring the uplifting vibe and power of Jamaica to the people,” he told Jamaica Observer’s weekly Splash.
Marley Natural is the name of a ganja brand the Marley family launched two years ago. It is available in areas of the United States where ganja is used by people without fear of prosecution.
In late 2015, the Jamaica Government announced plans to decriminalise ganja in the country. Since then, a number of groups have been granted licences for extensive studies on ganja and its medicinal benefits.
Jobson was in Jamaica recently for the opening of Kaya Herbhouse, the country’s first ganja dispensary, in his home parish of St Ann. He believes decriminalising ganja is long overdue.
“I was overjoyed to be at the opening of Kaya Herbhouse near my house by St Ann’s Bay on March 10. Finally, Jamaica has its first dispensary. Toots and The Maytals and Ky-Mani Marley performed and it was majestic,” he said. “However, Jamaica is 20 years behind California, who passed medical cannabis in 1996. I campaigned a lot on the radio for medicinal herb in California and it eventually passed. But it should have been Jamaica in 1996 and California in 2016, because Jamaica is ganja central!”
You must log in to post a comment.