MARIJUANA is becoming a cash crop of choice because of its quick harvesting period and high financial value, says Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu.
He told the Pacific Regional Tripartite Conference in Nadi yesterday this resulted in the displacement of traditional cash crops such as yaqona and dalo.
Mr Tudravu referred to a paper by Professor Steven Ratuva on the marijuana situation on Kadavu in which he called for a more holistic approach towards redefining what he termed the “marijuana culture” and “marijuana economy”.
“The infiltration of marijuana into the legitimate economy, this is a worrying factor,” Mr Tudravu said.
“The fears that marijuana culture has been mainstreamed into every aspect of the island economy, social life, church and other activities as communities are benefitting.
“The ministered marijuana culture is well-embedded in what we see as merely the tip of the ice-berg.
“So, this is briefly on the marijuana situation which we believe is not isolated only to Kadavu but to other known cultivators in our country.”
Mr Tudravu said the police had designated and identified areas in Fiji that are prone and are farmers of marijuana.
“And these are real time economic reach that is driving the necessity of those involved
“As for white drugs, local seizures have been small in number, however, the devastation it has caused has given rise to social and health issues such as the rise in HIV cases .”