Caribbean Buzz
The Marleys Push Harder With Major Launch in Jamaica’s Growing Marijuana Industry.
The Marley family have launched the new Marley Natural Herb House. The launch coincided with the launch of the Marley One global mushroom brand. The event took place at the reggae legend’s former home at 56 Hope Road, now known as the Bob Marley Museum. Now, the space will also host the new flagship Marley Natural Dispensary and smoking lounge.
The launch took place on Tuesday, March 28th from 6pm-10pm and was attended by a mix of Marley family members, ministers, CEOs, musicians, and influencers in Jamaica. The highlight of the event was an intimate acoustic performance by Stephen Marley on the deck of the Herb house, where Marley Natural is expected to begin hosting a new musical series, ‘Live at Bob’s.’
“I think my father would be pleased to see that a Herb house is opening at the Bob Marley Museum. When I think of how far the world has progressed surrounding its attitudes toward cannabis and to finally recognize its many positive qualities – this is exactly what my father and the Rastafarian Community have been saying for over 40 years. He has done so much to foster a positive understanding, it’s just right that we do this for him and his legacy,” said Stephen Marley.
Marley Natural, the world’s first global cannabis brand was born out of a collaboration between the Marley family, Docklight Brands, Inc., and Marley One. The first global functional and psychedelic mushroom brand is a joint venture with Silo Wellness.
“This is a significant milestone for our company as we will introduce the world to Marley One functional mushrooms, psychedelics products and wellness retreats. The brand offers top quality products in these fast-growing categories, instant name recognition and global visibility honoring Bob Marley’s legacy and connection to nature and plant-based wellbeing,” said NM Wellness CEO Douglas K. Gordon. “We are committed to building a leading global functional and psychedelic mushroom brand, guided by our vision to help people achieve healthier, more fulfilling lives and become the best versions of themselves.”
Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group of Companies said, “As a family, we seek to use our platform to inspire positive change, and the launch of the Marley Natural and Marley One brand allows us to do just that. It’s our wish that these products will empower people to experience oneness with nature and the universe at large – and ultimately, achieve greater self-actualization.”
The newly constructed Marley Natural Herb House has been approved by Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority, which permits both locals and tourists to consume cannabis for medical and therapeutic purposes. The outlet exclusively offers Marley Natural cannabis grown locally in St. Ann, Jamaica, the parish where Bob Marley was born. Its opening allows qualified consumers to enjoy authentic cannabis in eighths, pre-rolls, and vape cartridges inside the historic space. In addition to cannabis, the retail location will sell a full line of Marley Natural accessories including grinders, cases, holders, trays, bubblers, and other Marley branded products including Marley One.
Future locations are planned at Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston and elsewhere on the island.
Caribbean Buzz
SVG Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonzales Intrigued by T&T’s Yung Bredda.
To say he was intrigued, is an understatement. An interaction between the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and young T&T sensation, Yung Bredda, has now gone viral and the look of adoration and hope on the face of Prim Minister, Dr. Gonzales speaks volumes.
Trinidad and Tobago has ushered in a new dawn with a shining example of youthful leadership and promise, in Akhenaton Lewis – the artiste known as Yung Bredda. He met Prime Minister Gonzalves on Monday as he arrived in the West Indian territory, sharing his musical gift and bringing a smile to the face of the CARICOM nation’s leader.
The interaction, shared by Dr. Gonzalves via social media, has since been shared multiple times across the internet, proving to be a truly proud moment for many who have been following the 24-year-old’s career and genuinely rooting for him. “From Sealots to the Prime Minister’s house,” one fan commented, reflecting on Lewis’ journey thus far, and highlighting his rise from the humblest of beginnings, having been born and raised in one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most unsung communities.
In the video, Yung Bredda is heard singing his 2025 hit single, ‘Greatest Bend Over’ before delving into his 2025 Calypso Monarch contender, ‘We Rise,’ which brought him the 3rd place prize in the competition on March 2nd. “That is the whole of society, everybody. We all do our part. Not just individualism. People working together and doing it in love,” said Dr. Gonzalves to the entertainer as he completed his brief rendition. It was a moment to be remembered.
Yung Bredda has had a phenomenal run over the past few months, jumping out of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago on an extremely sturdy pedestal. He traveled to Canada last weekend, performing at Return Fete, before heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Caribbean Buzz
5 Reasons We’d Recommend YUMA For The Carnival Thrill Everyone Deserves.
Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival season was pretty much a blockbuster movie – a critically acclaimed experience that nobody could’ve possibly been truly prepared for. Three months of full-fledged, hyper-energetic ecstasy culminated with the traditional mas on the road experience that many travel from parts far and wide to enjoy, annually. This year, YUMA provided an experience for not only seasoned masqueraders, but many newcomers who’ve already co-signed with friends and family, to do it again, and again, and again.
1. COSTUME DESIGN AND QUALITY:
For quite a number of years, the YUMA brand has maneuvered the carnival landscape, with its designers like Rawle Permanand and Marie Collette, delivering exquisite costumes for the road. This year was no different. The costume quality and beauty stood effectively, leaving very little, if anything more to be desired. The band’s ‘Echoes of IERE’ theme featured sections like Marie Collette’s ‘Poui’ in a choice of a vivacious hot pink or an eye-catching bright yellow. Collette herself paraded the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Tuesday in the full hardline ensemble in her choice of bright yellow. The beauty and quality of her costume was unmistakeable. Other sections included Flambeaux, Hibiscus, Magnificent 7, Masala, Nariva, Riddim, Iere, Emperor, Echoes, Castara, Doux Doux Dahlin, Bucco and Bae-Go- rounding off the total street design showcase to 14. When it came time to show off and show out, the vibrance of the intricate designs and captivating kaleidoscope of colour, could not be ignored.
2. PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
Whether in part owed to its partnerships with brands like Digicel, Dasani, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Maybelline New York, Ocean Spray, VISA, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Shine Distributors, Skins, Hai Trim and Feathers, Carib, Jose Cuervo and Guinness, or simply its distinct and intentional effort to provide its masqueraders with the very best money can buy, YUMA once again delivered on customer satisfaction. From the costume collection where masqueraders received backpacks, which held a variety of goodies inside, inclusive of two branded aluminum cups and other necessities that would be appreciated for the road experience, and beyond, to the effort shown by drink attendants and security staff to minimize discomfort in any way, and of course, the detail and attention paid to their lunch stop, many basked in the YUMA vibe and professionalism throughout the two-day experience.
3. MUSIC SELECTION AND VIBE
Music selection is a big deal. The YUMA DJ selection proved top tier on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with the likes of Whitney Husbands, DJ Linx, Kevon X, Major Penny, DJ Jel, Selector Snappy and Deejay Kareem and others pleasing masqueraders with tunes from ‘tune land.’ Soca was the order and the DJs did not disappoint.
4. THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE VIBE
YUMA has always been known to be the band of the superstars. This year was no different, with a slate of popular faces in the mix, inclusive of influencers like Anil and Kineta James, Neicey bwoss, model, Mela, Charlotte Wingham, Carnival Sabrina, cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, and others. Soca artistes like Jadel, Lyrikal, Lady Lava, Voice, The A Team Band and others were also a part of the vibe. “As an artiste, I can say the artistes were treated amazing. We got VISA bands for YUMA and I loved the fact that YUMA had The A Team band LIVE. That was so entertaining and masqueraders appreciated that so much. A lot of mas bands do not bring that live band element to the road and that live band on the road, did it for me,” Jadel told Ebuzztt. She also said the drinks truck was on point. “I had no problems with the drinks at all, the courtesies extended were amazing. The whole vibe- the energy was just love – love and happiness and unity,” she added.
5. READY- FOR- ANYTHING MASQUERADERS
With social media and trend-setting being the kill-joy for many in the carnival space, it would be remiss of us not to mention the fact that on the road, masquerading was the order in YUMA. While there were moments for the ‘gram’ and TikTok, this did not take away from the overall energy of the people on the road. Beautiful women, handsome men – all up for the thrill of the carnival roadshow experience, immersed themselves in the music of the season and showed off their effervescent nature, making it abundantly clear that YUMA just might be THE band to truly bring the VIBES, not just in 2025 but way into the years ahead.
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