As suggested by the title, The Marijuana Affair looks at the activities of local and international drug smugglers focussed on Jamaica in the midst of social and political turmoil.
In addition to Bahamas-born Calvin Lockhart, The Marijuana Affair featured a host of classic Jamaican actors including Charles Hyatt, Ranny Williams, Evettt Hussey, and a cameo appearance by then National Security Minister Dudley Thompson. The famous American jazz trombonist and composer Melba Liston, who lived and taught in Jamaica, composed the movie’s musical score.
Longtime medicinal marijuana advocate, and legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum, starred as the villain. Arum was good friends with Jamaica’s own boxing legend Lucien Chen (promoter of the George Foreman-Joe Frazier contest in Kingston), who was executive producer of the film.
The film had a limited run even in Jamaica and then essentially disappeared. Over the years, there has been much talk of giving the movie a proper release and even producing a modern-day sequel, but nothing has yet materialized.
