KINGSTON – The Jamaica government said it is working towards overhauling the interim regulations governing the cannabis industry.
State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. Norman Dunn said the measures enacted six years ago are no longer appropriate for the fast-growing industry.
“They require a complete rework, and we are now set at the Ministry to work assiduously to change this,” he said.
“If we don’t change it and everywhere opens up apart from us, we are going to be completely left behind…We will not be able to compete adequately in this multimillion-dollar global industry.”
Dunn, who was speaking at a webinar hosted by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), said when the regulations were enacted six years ago, they were appropriate at the time, as “the government had to move cautiously in how it rolled out the new industry”.
“But the world is moving very fast as far as the opening up of this industry is concerned and, therefore, we have to now change gear,” he said.
“How we position ourselves will better enable Jamaica to tap into the multimillion-dollar global industry.”
Dunn said JANAAC had a critical role to play by giving the stamp of approval to the country’s world-class farms and manufacturing facilities.
“Your assessment and validation will enhance the ability of the products from Jamaica…to compete worldwide,” he said.
“Opening up the industry in a very controlled and scientific manner will eventually eliminate the illicit trade because persons will not seek to produce in substandard condition.”
Meanwhile, chairman of the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), LeVaughn Flynn, says the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Import and Export Licensing) Regulations 2020 is now in the final stages before promulgation.
(CMC)
