Monday, September 29, 2014
In the coming weeks, the government of Jamaica has committed itself to legalizing “the weed” – a move that Jamaica's minister of tourism, Wykeham McNeill, indicated “can only be good for tourism”.
A few other people, especially the Miller family, which owns the “100% Jamaican” brand name, also think legalization will be good for business – especially the rolling paper business. As a result, they will be launching a line of “100% Jamaican” rolling papers and other smoking accessories, including dry herb compatible electronic cigarettes under the “100% Jamaican” brand name.
The concept of marketing Jamaican products and services globally under the “100% Jamaican” brand name was developed over 15 years ago by Don Miller, an expert in international marketing and cross-cultural communication. Since that time, Don and his sons, Don Miller Jr. and Alain Miller, all Jamaicans, have sold a variety of products under the brand name. These have included coffee, spices, pepper sauces, clothing and accessories.
However, with Don Miller retiring, his son Alain took a good look at the global business potential of the US$100 billion medical and recreational marijuana business and decided to stake out a share of the market starting with rolling papers, accessories and clothing under the “100% Jamaican” brand name.
“With the global recognition and popularity of Jamaica, it made great business sense to get involved, especially when you own a brand name like ‘100% Jamaican',” stated Alain Miller.
“When we start telling the three million tourists who come to Jamaica every year to ‘Take Home a Little Something that's 100% Jamaican' – we expect it to be at least our rolling papers and other products under the '100% Jamaican' brand name. ‘100% Jamaican Rolling Papers’ are the first of its kind in the world to represent the spirit of a country and the pride of a nation!”
Justice Minister Mark Golding says Jamaica's Cabinet has approved a plan to decriminalize marijuana and legislators are expected to authorize it before the end of the year.
