The Carnival Party Bus; Recognizing marijuana as a platform for celebration, unity, and healing

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“We were thrilled to be a part of this historic event. The Carnival Party Bus not only celebrated Caribbean culture but also signifies a significant milestone in the Canadian cannabis space, one of unity, healing and celebration. We are proud to collaborate with DiversityTalk to bring this event to life.” Vivianne Wilson, Founder of GreenPort

“Ahhhhhhh!”

I took a pull and looked around me. Up and down the street, there were clusters of people huddled together talking, laughing and preparing for what was going to be an amazing night.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the second annual Carnival Party Bus for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2023 on July 15^th, 2023. From 4:00 pm to 12:00 am, 45 local entertainers (Kirk Diamond, Solitair, Kapri), social media personalities, influencers (and me) were invited to celebrate and share our experiences of good friends, good times, and of course, great marijuana.

What set the Carnival Party Bus apart is the fact that it was organized by prominent Black leaders in the Canadian cannabis industry. The founders of DiversityTalk and GreenPort united their efforts to create an unimaginable experience that celebrated Caribbean culture and heritage while actively dismantling the stigma surrounding cannabis.

Ganja, marijuana, weed, cannabis, pot, hashish, joint, blunt, spliff, call it by whatever name you want, no other plant has had more controversy around it than this versatile and healing herb.

There has always been a negative connotation surrounding marijuana, especially in the Caribbean community. In 1913, ganja became illegal in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean followed suit. Ganja was restricted in 1915 in Trinidad and eventually made outright illegal in 1925. The crackdown on marijuana was further worsened with the persecution of Rastas in the mid-1950s and 60s. The government of Jamaica went as far as to issue an order to police and military to “Bring all Rastas, dead or alive.”

Marijuana is as sacred to Rastas as holy communion is to Catholics, and they do not see it as a drug. In fact, most Rastas are against drug use such as cocaine or heroin. Their religion forbids them from consuming substances that defile their bodies or restrict spiritual development, which marijuana does not.

Ganja is seen as an herb created by Jah. It is a tool used to open up the mind to receive knowledge and understanding on spiritual matters, to gain self-realization and experience the mystical.  Unfortunately, the war on this healing herb continued for many decades. According to the UN World Drug Report, 2020, cannabis remains the #1 drug linked to incarceration, accounting for more than half of drug law offences, based on data from 69 countries covering the period between 2014 and 2018, and of course, these numbers affect the African-Caribbean community significantly.

There are thousands of African-Caribbean young men (and women) who have been locked up behind bars, persecuted and prosecuted because of this green, God-given herb.

The question is, why do so many Caribbeans still see marijuana as being a bad thing, and how do we debunk the myths and madness surrounding this herb and shed light on the missed opportunities in the Caribbean? One way is by educating the community on the incredible benefits of this powerful herb, and why not do so in an enjoyable way.

DiversityTalk is a leading health and social development consulting firm specializing in social equity-centered projects and community engagement initiatives. GreenPort is one of Toronto’s pioneering Black-owned cannabis retail stores, offering an environment that takes you “Back to the Roots” of culture and community while fostering a welcoming space to explore cannabis.

The two organizers of the Carnival Party Bus honored this rich heritage by providing guests with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Guests had the unique opportunity to explore Mas Camps and engage in meet-and-greets with revelers, carnival costume designers, section leaders from EPIC Carnival Mas Band, and festival organizers. This year’s Carnival Party Bus was hosted by Ryan Chung, Producer at CBC Music, who kept the entire Carnival Party Bus crew laughing, and partying for eight hours.

We all met up at Greenport located at 686 College St., and we were greeted with high energy vibes and great food provided by the one and only Reena Rampersad from High Society Supper Club. After a couple of well needed tokes (cough, cough), we loaded the bus and headed to Epic Mascamp to do a walk through. Naturally, while there we had an opportunity to bubble up ourselves, and then we were back on the move. Our last stop was to New Dimensions Steelpan Yard, where we had a chance to dance a little more, eat a little more, and shop with vendors who were there.

This event represents an unprecedented opportunity for Toronto community members, particularly those impacted by the war on drugs, to come together and celebrate. I can’t end this without shouting out some of the great sponsors and partners that made this event as amazing as it was: Ontario Cannabis Store, Willy’s Jerk, Kronic Relief, Tropical Delight, High Society Supper Club, and the Neal Brothers. Outside of it being an absolutely pleasurable evening, it served as a powerful symbol of progress, acknowledging the historical injustices where cannabis was once used to target and incarcerate members of the community. Now, it provides a platform for celebration, unity, and healing during the vibrant carnival celebration.