The Stepping High Festival, also known as the Jamaican Ganja Cup, is scheduled for March 5 and 6, 2016, in Negril, Jamaica. Offering an authentic Jamaican cultural experience built on the foundation of Rastafari culture and spirituality, family, community, friendship and love. The Stepping High Festival will feature exhibitions, entertainment and education—including seminars conducted by Oaksterdam University.
“Oaksterdam has partnered with Stepping High because of its focus on cannabis, the community, the Jamaican people, and the local jobs available because of the festival,” said Dr. Aseem Sappal, Provost and Dean of Faculty for Oaksterdam University. “Now is an exciting time. In addition to partnering with Stepping High, we’re also working with the Jamaican government and the University of West Indies, where we are involved in helping lead important cannabis research and development.”
Stepping High began in 2003 as an underground event promoted primarily by word-of-mouth and has become an enviable brand showcasing the finest strains of cannabis and a musical extravaganza that attracts thousands of people from around the world annually.
This year’s event will feature two cannabis competitions to judge the highest quality Jamaican marijuana. The Best in the West contest entries will be from Western Jamaica, and the Nation’s Best contest will include entries from ganja farmers island-wide.
Artists performing at the Festival offer positive and uplifting lyrics and rhythms and include: Akae Beka (Vaughn Benjamin of Midnight) performing for the very first time in Jamaica, China Smith and Inna mi yard experience, Prof I, King Fragrance, Dann-I, Loyal Flames, I- Wayne, Cali P, Ice Block, Wild Life, Terry Ganzie, Principal Grundy, Tuff like Iron, Empress Isachar, Empress Minott, Empress Joyce, Yung Jr, Kyng Sharlo & Anthony Abele.
In addition to the Jamaican Ganja Cup and entertainment, the Festival will highlight a Canna Fashion Show, a Dub Poet Session, health and wellness activities, the launching of an exclusive Space Station, and much more. Festival gates open March 5th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM and March 6th from 10:00 AM to Midnight.
About Stepping High: Stepping High is a social enterprise focused on providing an authentic Jamaican experience in an environment which offers a cultural mix of Jamaican music, food and the highest strain of cannabis and natural herbs. The event supports community-based tourism, providing an opportunity for local farmers and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and brings together a number of stakeholders including state, private sector, local and international investors and the local community. Founded by Lyndon Connell, Stepping High began as the extension of the pioneering tourism success of Daniel Connell and Cyril Connell, Lyndon’s grandfather and father respectively, who built lodging in Negril for tourists in the 1960s and 1970s. Stepping High maintains its authenticity and holds strongly to the foundations upon which it was built: family, community, friendship and love.
About Oaksterdam University: Since 2007, when Oaksterdam University became the first cannabis college in the United States, it has been the forerunner in providing the highest quality training to people interested in a career in the cannabis industry and the first institution to address the growing needs of the marijuana movement, from patients to regulators. Such a focus has established Oaksterdam University as the only cannabis college with a comprehensive curriculum in cannabis business and horticulture available today. In addition to training individuals wanting to get into the cannabis industry, OU trains regulators including city council members, state agencies, and government officials as well as state evaluators overseeing medical marijuana license applications. Oaksterdam University’s scope into research and development has expanded through partnerships with the Oregon Health Research Institute as well as with the University of West Indies. Our faculty is comprised of professionals, academics and entrepreneurs, and OU alumni—over 25,000 from over 30 countries who have received training regarding cannabis and marijuana policy reform—are the most active in the world.
Source: Oaksterdam University press release
