Elvis holding Juliana to ganja promise

| 22/04/2021 | 62 Comments
Cayman News Service
Elvis McKeever

(CNS): Elvis McKeever has said he will be holding his opponent in last week’s elections, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, to the commitment she made in the last stages of the campaign to the legal cultivation of medical marijuana. Posting a video on his Facebook page ahead of the swearing-in yesterday, McKeever, who unsuccessfully challenged O’Connor-Connolly for her seat in Cayman Brac East, made it clear that he would be holding her to account on behalf of the 106 people who had supported his clearly stated pro-ganja platform. He said he still believes in the full legalisation of cannabis and that he was happy to start with the cultivation for medical use.

McKeever who had predicted before the election that she would jump ship from the PPM to Wayne Panton’s PACT group, which she did at the last minute, pointed out that before she did so, O’Connor-Connolly had jumped aboard the ganja wagon and needed to see that election promise through. He said he was sure that, as a Christian woman she would not want to deprive anyone of their access to medication.

“You need prayer, I need ganja. Plain and simple,” he said, before reminding her that 106 people voted for him for that reason he committed to defending their interests over the next four years. McKeever also warned that O’Connor-Connolly would be in for a bumpier ride over the next four years because, unlike the last two challengers to the veteran representative for the Sister Islands who had run and left, he was not going anywhere.

McKeever said the people of Cayman Brac East did not believe that O’Connor-Connolly should retain her education portfolio because it was “not working for the children”. However, he said that Brac farmers welcomed her retaining the agriculture portfolio because “she treated the farmer really well up here”, and he reminded her about her comments on growing ganja.

Now that she was in a “different group again”, he said she could not come back to CBE and say she could not fulfill that election promise and blame it on Alden McLaughlin or Moses Kirkconnell.

See Elvis McKeever on his Facebook page below:


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Category: Politics

Comments (62)

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  1. Trippy Bush Ebanks says:

    Imparato done gone got planning permission for a hydroponics property already along Frank sound road. He miles ahead of everything. Cayman commercial bud soon come.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Yes because anyone can just google “how to cook the perfect filet mignon” and instantly put the best steakhouse to shame… boomer logic. Stop being an old fart and just let me grow/consume my medicine in peace…

    OH WAIT, that’s what I’m doing anyway, because the war on cannabis has evidently failed since its inception in the 60s.

  3. Hu Mind says:

    Mr. McKeever is a very well educated man. He is not miseducated as a lot of us are. We are all aspiring to be something foreign. The hardest thing to do in this world is to unlearn. If you live long enough to get a perspective on history and you cease fooling yourself, you would come to realize that you’ve been brainwashed about almost everything.
    Thanks Elvis and keep on keeping on.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Why is ganja even an issue in 2021? If it is legal in the UK then they should force the territories to abide by the same law.

    • Anonymous says:

      The UK is actually the world’s largest exporter of medical cannabis. Ironic, isn’t it? While we’re here stuck importing it from Canadians and giving a legal monopoly away.

      $115 for half a gram of vape oil lol

  5. Orrie Merren says:

    Issues relating to cannabis legislation (including decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use) has been on the back burner for far too long.

    We need to cultivate, extract cannabinoids and export our Cayman Cannabis products, which requires cannabis legislation.

    • Anonymous says:

      Do you understand the size of that cultivation? Cayman is close to the ocean and hot, the cannabis that will grow here outdoors, which produces the best quality for medicine, will not be that great or will be in small supply. We need to produce hemp. Which has many uses from building houses, paper, clothing etc. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/science/hemp-homes-cannabis.html

      • Anonymous says:

        You are dead wrong about the quality of local cultivation. Hemp will not spur our economy. We can grow some of the best ganja in the hemisphere here. Right here. I don’t need the New York Times to tell me what grows well. I know it by my own experiments.

        I hope we clear the way for both medicinal and personal cultivation. This is the 21st Century. We must join the modern era and allow people access to a vetted and medicinal plant. I wish my Grandfather had had access to it. He had cancer and could not tolerate the smell of food.

    • Anonymous says:

      Growing a large quantity of weed is hard. Cayman will never be an exporter unless you count souvenir quantities to tourists.

  6. Anonymous says:

    That was only campaign talk by Ju Ju. Get over it.

    • Anonymous says:

      She’s a chameleon as long as she gets what she wants. That’s why our education system will continue to fail with her.

  7. Hu mind says:

    Thanks Mr. McKeever. Parliament needs to set up a working committee to workout the details with public input. History will show that the same people who prohibited the legalization would seize every opportunity when the time is right, to control and make the most money from it. We know who these people are, they have the same modus operandi all over the planet earth. Alcohol and tobacco are known cancer causing drugs with a number of social and environmental side effects. Who controls and sells them despite the known effects? The US Government has a patent on CBD as it is known to be a potent beneficial anti oxidant. Google CBD (medical marijuana) and do your own research. Think then act!

  8. Anonymous says:

    I would think that over the last 25 years Cayman Brac people would know better than trying to hold her to her word.

  9. Anonymous says:

    One-issue Elvis is bragging about 106 votes.

    For someone who has lived here all of their life and could only manage to get just over 100 votes I don’t think has room to boast and brag – the last guy who ran against Julie hasn’t lived full-time on the Brac for decades and he got a lot more votes than Elvis.

    Elvis please take the time to list all of the things that you have done for your community.

    1. What boards/committees have you been on?
    2. What private organisations have you been active in?
    3. What sort of volunteer things have you done?

    Aside from bashing your representative, blatantly insulting God and church people, your only claim to fame seems to be constantly talking about ganja, ganja, ganja.

    Your platform of No Weed, No Vote was just that you hardly got any votes.

    • Anonymous says:

      6:10 am Nowhere in the elections law does it say that someone needs to sits on boards/committees or be active in private organizations or volunteer anywhere to run for election soo… We need honest people who are able to learn and willing to work. And not everyone has to be a Minister to get things done.

      • Anonymous says:

        Again, no reply from the one-issue person. Absolutely no background trying to do anything constructive for the community.
        Selfish senior citizen trying to justify himself.

        • Anonymous says:

          23/4 @ 6:10am & 3:36pm – What committees did Jay Ebanks sit on? What did he do for his community XXXX? He was elected.

          Don’t rule out Elvis. NO WEED, NO VOTE! Elvis 2025!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Clearly you attended none of his meetings, in which he outlined several of his ideas; his platform wasn’t just weed.

      Don’t forget that he had only a few weeks to mount a campaign against your hero Julie.

      Imagine what he can do with plenty of advanced notice to mount a proper campaign. She is right to be concerned.

      • Anonymous says:

        Let us all paint our storage building and truck with No weed, no vote.
        He has had a lifetime to prepare and run for office and clearly knew all of it was for personal publicity.

        • Anonymous says:

          You don’t know him. He has a tiny ego compared to Julie. He wants what is best for all of us. He has lots of ideas that are outside of ganja. You might benefit by getting to know him. If you dare to challenge your perceptions. Maybe you are without sin and carry around stones. I sure as hell don’t.

      • Anonymous says:

        Well he has advance notice that in four more years there will be another election.

        He has four years to get organized and mount a campaign.

        I am wondering why he did not spray paint his storage building and truck with some of his other ideas. Every time you encounter him in public all he could say is no weed, no vote. Sure he did manage to speak about a couple other things online and at his meetings, but they were a significant side note to his own personal issue.

        If Elvis truly wants to be a voice for that issue he should seek to network with others who support it.
        Get the statistics, tell us what is done in the Motherland, reach out to the medical professionals who have been involved with the issue, tell us more fact based stuff other than I need it.

    • Hafoo says:

      He got much more than at least 4 others.How much you got?Bad mind will kill you

    • Anonymous says:

      You are 100% correct!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Elvis needs to go back school and get a education, he needs to get off this ganja train as he is not making any head way.

  11. Anonymous says:

    You can definitely rely on her, to stay onside, never to flip nor flop…always loyal, faithful and true to her word. Will always come through…….

    Just ask Roy!

  12. Anonymous says:

    Cayman has too much vested interest in prohibition. Police officers, courtrooms, lawyers, judges, ” drug counselors” Department of Community Rehabilitation, border control, coast guard, Numerous bar owners, liquor licensing board. that is a lot of jobs that will lose out if it is legalized. There are some powerful ppl in those positions that won’t make it happen. The only way it will be legalized fully in my lifetime, if when someone presents a way that makes the gov. a lot of money, and the only how that works is if it is taxed. Imagine weed becoming legal only for you to have to pay $50.00 per spliff grown by someone who knows nothing about it. Be careful what you wish for,you might just get it

    • Anonymous says:

      I think other countries had that same argument at first, then they realized how much money they spend by putting people through the system for low amounts of marijuana.
      Those government jobs will be there regardless, and they will focus on other parts of the drug trade.
      Cayman should at least consider legalization – not only to keep up with other countries in terms of progressiveness, but many tourists expect to indulge when on vacation just like they can at home.

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually a lot of jobs managing licenses of the budtenders and growers.

    • Anonymous says:

      The argument for Ganja is not to legalize it completely. But to decriminalize it and put in laws to support the development of medicinal marijuana and agriculture of small amounts. Similar to alcohol, where there are laws surrounding driving or handling machines under the influence, there would be no need to get rid of the entities and jobs you mentioned but to shift the positions based on news laws. Also this is another way for Govt to make revenue based on citations/ticketing, Liscense fees etc. BUT I believe it should be mandated that only caymanians can do the farming aspect.

      • Anonymous says:

        Legalize it completely. Absurd it’s not been done.

        • Anonymous says:

          I agree, at this point, many countries have legalized marijuana and have had massive success in implementing the new law.

          -create jobs
          -eliminate juvenile criminal records for simple possession which can impact their future
          -take any extra weight off the judicial system
          -prevent ganja runners
          -improve access and pricing for medical use/cbd
          -keep tourists happy (most likely their country has already legalized and they expect to have the option on vacation)

          The pros definitely outweigh the cons.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol. that is the only argument that I put forward anymore. If the herb cant be legal, then alcohol has to be illegal– That is my slogan for my campaign next election

    • Anonymous says:

      Never seen 6 ganja smokers fighting in a bar.

      Most are too chilled to fight their way out of a wet paper bag

      Seen many alcohol infused violent fights though.

      LOL!

    • Anonymous says:

      Two wrongs, don’t make a right. You wont win hearts by making things worse if you don’t get your way.

      • Anonymous says:

        Nice little slogan there.
        Where is it said to be making things worse?????

        Put your beer down and pay attention.

        • Anonymous says:

          “making things worse” to them is allowing other grown adults to be, you know, adults who can spend their money on stuff that makes them not sober.

          It’s typical conservatism. “I don’t like it, so neither can you, even if you do.”

    • Anonymous says:

      The drug itself varies in effect. Importantly though: in our waters, it is an unofficial Caribbean-Latin American currency. The cartels involved in ganja production swap for weapons, ammo, cocaine, people, sanctioned oil, gold, you name it. We are right in the middle of it all, and can’t afford to ignore it’s role in international crime and laundering as it transits our area and people.

      • Anonymous says:

        Uh. No it’s not. It is Cocaine that is the Official Caribbean-Latin American currency!
        WAY more $$ in coke than weed.

  14. BeaumontZodecloun says:

    Elvis, you are in a unique position to be a true advocate for the very necessary legalisation of ganja. Those that are going to smoke it will. Those that don’t choose to won’t. Those that need it for medicinal purposes shouldn’t be marginalised by Dr. Lee or CBC or anyone else, particularly since medical marijuana has already been legalised. Or has it?

    You keep pushing Mr. Elvis, and wherever possible, I will support your cause. I don’t use it, but I may need it as I grow older. The last hurdle has been overcome, and that is a field sobriety test for THC. The Cayman Islands need to set a level, and then enforce the testing protocol. I personally don’t think that those who use the herb can be bad drivers, but I understand that a systemic test must be part of the acceptance and legality.

    If we can create a system where we can help farmers to grow it for our own purposes, then we can improve the economy with the packaging and taxation of it. In this way, we can remove the criminality of ganja. Everybody wins. Nobody that didn’t smoke will start. Nobody that smokes will go to jail for an herb that is given to us all within the context of the Holy Bible.

    Let us all join the 21st century.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Elvis, I fully support this!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Many people made fun of his campaign, but you have to respect Elvis when all this is said and done. Perhaps he isn’t first choice for premier, but his campaign shined a light on injustices in our system and he put forth some interesting new ideas. Imagine someone telling you a few years back that Juliana would consider legal ganja in any way. The fact that he legitimized this conversation and dared to stand up for his beliefs is commendable.

    Like Emily DeCou, losing doesn’t mean that their ideas will not take a hold in our society and change it for better. Big up to both of them for thinking differently.

    Also, his criticisms of Juliana are spot on and respectful at the same time. She obviously is not what we need for the Minister of Education. It is going to be a tremendous job to get our schools back on track and we need the best of the best in that role. Someone with some fresh ideas and their nose to the grindstone. Agriculture is a better fit, where she can fulfill her promise of legalizing natural medicines.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well said! Watch this space closely over the next four years to see if any of the previous pampered special Interest groups start lining up to have sole access to this lucrative agricultural business. This sector of agriculture needs to open up but in a way that financially and physically benefits all walks of people in Cayman.

      Keep up the vigil Elvis, good people are still rooting for you.

      • Anonymous says:

        And if it ever does become legal, I truly believe that Elvis will work with the CBW/LC representative to become the official weed man of the Sister Islands

    • Anonymous says:

      What do you know about Education? And who is the best of the best in the current team? I would love to hear your thoughts! It’s always easy to criticize when you are outside looking in. If Julie goes back to Education then finally Education would have the years required to truly effect change. A major problem with the system is the constant change of admin and policies – every 4 years. Now is the opportunity for her to continue with the policies and programs implemented and those planned. What we need in this country is legislation which would allow key programs and policies in Education to materialize with enough time for them to effect the intended change. Don’t be fooled, Education is not an over- night affair. Let us support our Minister for another Term!

  17. Anonymous says:

    As a Caymanian who currently grows it for personal use since my insurance won’t cover the prescribed oils, just 3 plants per household is wayy too little even for personal use. I have about 20 females budding for myself right now. Not only does it take a few months before you can harvest, but if your saplings turn into males they’re pretty much useless and have to be uprooted.

    Besides, who the hell is going to monitor how many plants someone has in their 3rd bedroom or shed? No way to tell how much indoor growing is being done as is… and trust me, your neighbor is probably doing it too.

    I don’t run a professional grow-op lol, and I started growing to stop supporting the criminal smugglers who bring in guns too! It’s more than recreational for me – cured my depression, got my appetite back so I stopped being anorexic, and I no longer have suicidal thoughts. Not to mention the side cash came in handy to put food on the table after losing my job in tourism.

    • Anonymous says:

      You contradict yourself by saying “grows it for personal use” and “the side cash came in handy to put food on the table after losing my job in tourism.”

      This is exactly why government will be hesitant to legalize cultivation for medicinal use. People can’t be trusted to stick to medicinal use and instead will grow/sell for recreational use.

      • Anonymous says:

        One can bake cookies to eat for themselves but also sell the rest on the tray if they can’t eat all of it before it goes stale.

        One can grow it for personal use primarily and also sell it if there’s excess.

        There’s no regulations, so if you have a problem with them making money off of it untaxed, regulate it.

        • Anonymous says:

          First the calls were for dubious “medical applications”, now it’s full “commercial production” by the same people.

      • Anonymous says:

        Another Caymanian who grows here.

        I get bout 1 maybe 2 oz off a tree using Jamaican seeds. Consume up to 3.5g a day. One spliff is 1g. That means one tree is about half a month supply. If it takes 4 months for a proper harvest 3 trees is definitely too low. Maybe like 10 honestly.

        I think they were referring to the comment below.

      • Anonymous says:

        “People can’t be trusted to stick to medicinal use and instead will grow/sell for recreational use.”

        Yet I watch my coworker go outside every hour for a 15 minute tobacco smoke break. Are you seriously following your logic here?? It has medically recognized uses yet using it recreationally is somehow bad?? While allowing products with big and bold writing “THIS WILL KILL YOU” to be freely consumed on government time?

        Double standard hypocrisy. Cannabis is a much safer drug to consume recreationally than both alcohol and nicotine. Yet the latter two are celebrated here.

      • Anonymous says:

        A Caymanian lost their job due to uncontrollable circumstances, and upped their farming to provide for themselves from the soil of their land.

        This is exactly why our Minister of Agriculture should allow Caymanian farmers to benefit from this lucrative industry in a legitimate manner that currently only makes drug lords rich.

        No, legalizing it won’t legitimize their drug smuggling. Have you ever bought weed grown on Cayman? 100x better quality than smuggled Jamaican weed. I’d never support the smugglers ever again.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Decriminalise recreational pubic possession under 4 oz (make it a traffic ticket), expunge previous small quantity possession and use charges, and legalise up to 3 plants per household for private non-commercial purposes, and then move on to more important policy topics please. Those that were caught red-handed sitting on narco cargos measured in hundreds of lbs, and/or those running professional grow-ops, chose to be full-time criminals, not recreational consumers, and earned the records they should keep.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ok so long as you go after the hard drugs withvigor.

    • Anonymous says:

      3 trees too little if you want the common man to benefit. To achieve high enough yields off of 3 trees for a reliable personal supply it would take a lot of capital. Talking proper soil, regular nutrients, proper seed genetics, and other equipment.

      Thinking someone can plop 3 seeds in their backyard soil and get a pound per tree is ridiculous

      • Anonymous says:

        You want to be allowed to farm but won’t learn how to farm…potheads.

        • Anonymous says:

          Lol do you realize how dumb this comment sounds? Everyone starts from somewhere – if you aren’t allowed to learn how you expect them to start off as experts?

          Like expecting 5 years experience for an internship post.

          • Anonymous says:

            Must we suggest redirecting the internet browser to “how do I grow better weed”…it ain’t rocket surgery…potheads.

      • Anonymous says:

        22/4@ 5:19pm – Hmmm… I know someone who did exactly that, no special seed, no special nutrients, etc..just in a 17 gal pot and yielded over 1 pound from 1 tree. beautiful tree but the herb was not great, because the plant got too much rain last summer.

        Next try… smaller pot, less water, better herb

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