By Mark Mutahi
In general, Jamaicans sprinted like witches at the last Olympics and Usain Bolt has been nominated for the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award.The rumour mill is on overdrive: Could it be marijuana? This is probably a perception arising from the documented fact that one of the largest exporters of marijuana to the United States (for medical as well as leisure purposes) is the Caribbean state.
This is not helped by the fact that Jamaica has the largest Rasta movement on the planet, which is associated with the liberal use of cannabis.Among the believers of the ‘weed for speed’ rumours, one group is of the view that the enhanced speed results from using the drug. Another category thinks there is a different causative factor.
Police
“It has nothing to do with smoking weed,” some wags say, “but everything to do with running from the law. With cannabis being illegal in Jamaica, having to run away from the police all the time improves your speed naturally.”Another wag argues that it is constantly running away from drug peddlers and dealers that you owe money that improves speed.
Yet another theory is that if the reggae festivals held in that country are similar to those held here, where the smoke emanating from such places is usually clearly over legal standards, then the speed could be attributed to the practice of always running away to avoid chocking.This is especially if roads are choked with vehicular exhausts and ‘cannabis exhalation’ from drivers and pedestrians.
Election losers
But opponents of this argument dispute this, saying that if this were the case, then Kenyans have the most unexploited potential on the planet because practically every Kenyan is always running away, or out of, something.From dads running away from responsibility to perennial election losers who are always running for office to hawkers and working girls who are always running away from the city council askaris to friends and relatives who are always running away from facts.
Opinion is, however, divided on whether it can help one run a country. This is because former US President Bill Clinton once admitted to smoking pot in his youth and he didn’t do such a bad job.
But there are those who disagree that weed leads to speed.“Rubbish! There’s absolutely no truth in those allegations. It’s just unfair and wrong stereotypes that have helped fuel these rumours and innuendos.“The only running that marijuana can help you in is running away from reality,” argues a respected athletics coach, perhaps speaking from experience.
The opponents of the ‘weed for speed’ rumours also cite that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that marijuana has speed-enhancing properties.They caution that one should not be deluded into thinking they are going to break the 100 metres sprint record simply by smoking or ingesting the drug. Instead, they point out that it is simply the fastest route to ten years in prison.
