Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green has directed the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) to fast track the cannabis licensing approval process. Green met with the heads of the authority to discuss the functioning of the authority, the implementation of the alternative development programme and the cannabis licensing application process. He expressed concerns about the length of time between application and decision, and asked the agency to explore ways to reduce the time, noting that a significant proportion of the delay in the decision making process was as a result of the due diligence requirements. (See also: Accompong targeted for hemp pilot | Call for CLA to waive licensing fees for Rasta farmers)

An ethnographic study of women and drug use in inner city neighborhoods in Kingston, Jamaica, revealed that cannabis is commonly used in conjunction with crack cocaine to minimize the undesirable effects of crack pipe smoking, specifically paranoia and weight loss.

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An ethnographic study of women and drug use in inner city neighborhoods in Kingston, Jamaica, revealed that cannabis is commonly used in conjunction with crack cocaine to minimize the undesirable effects of crack pipe smoking, specifically paranoia and weight loss.

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The decriminalization and regulation of cannabis has been occurring in many jurisdictions in the United States – but also closer to home and more significantly in Jamaica. While unable to directly compete with these long-established producers, the Windward Islands are home to their own significant, albeit illegal, cannabis economy. A pressing task facing the cash strapped governments of the Windward Islands, particularly St Vincent and St Lucia is to capitalize on the current climate of drug reform and adopt creative decriminalization policies which will ensure that they are able to transition the employment, income generation and value added opportunities from the ganja economy to the legal economy.

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Andre De Caires of  the Cannabis Movement of St. Lucia is not satisfied with the pace at which the recently formed Cannabis Commission is working. The commission’s mandate is to “consult and provide advice on the design of a legislative and regulatory framework for cannabis”.  A workshop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, facilitated by the Transnational Institute brought together activists and farmers’ representatives from across the region. Discussions centred on management of the cannabis industry in the face of the enormous influx of investment money from cannabis companies “that do not exactly share the interest of the farmers, and the development of the islands as their first priority”.

The Dominica parliament approved the amendment to the Drugs Prevention Misuse Act even as government legislators urged that the passage of the bill should not be viewed as an opportunity for celebration and the excessive use of marijuana and its by-products. The amended legislation now allows for people over the age of 18 to be in possession of 28 grams of marijuana and National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore, who piloted the measure, said "there is a different view today than yesterday for persons who actually possess small quantities of marijuana for personal, religious use." Blackmoore added: "We are therefore taking a further approach towards decriminalising a small quantity of marijuana, to expunge the records of persons in respect of possession of 28 grammes."

Entrepreneurs eager to enter the marijuana business are calling on the Government of Trinidad & Tobago to bring legislation which will allow them to do so without fear of being arrested. The Cannabis Control Bill, aimed at legitimising marijuana retail businesses in Trinidad and Tobago, has been a topic of discussion since the amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act in December 2019. The amendments allowed for the possession of up to 30 grammes of marijuana and growing four female plants for every adult in a home. The bill was sent to a joint select committee (JSC) led by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi in 2019, which was initially due to report to Parliament in February last year, but there have been some setbacks.

The Jamaican Government is finalising legislation to allow for marijuana producers to export. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw says producers could potentially earn $30 million per gallon for exported marijuana oil. “I have set a target for the end of September for the regulations to be promulgated,” said Shaw. “I want us to start exporting extracted oil and buds from Jamaica to external markets.” Jamaica remains concerned about correspondent banking issues in the United States, where banks continue to block legitimate marijuana companies from conducting transactions, whether or not the product enters the US. (See also: Proposals to revolutionise medical cannabis industry put forward to Government)

Ganja growers are calling on the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) to clarify the conditions under which cannabis has been exported from Jamaica, even before the passage of the import/export regulations that are still in draft. “Some companies have been allowed to export and there is confusion as to whether it's samples for testing, or it's for export. There is nothing on the CLA website to guide how do you get this special permission for export,” acting programme director of the Ganja Growers and Producers Association Jamaica Paul Burke said. He said the cannabis growers continue to push for a moratorium, to allow traditional farmers to get involved in the regulated industry.

The Ganja Growers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ) has called for a meeting the Ministry of Industry Investment & Commerce (MIIC) to discuss the issue of ganja growers, their licenses, the impending and long awaited 'Transitional Permits'. According to the association, the MIIC and the ministries of Security, Justice, Agriculture, and the Cannabis Licensing Authority, need to address the confusion surrounding Rastafari growers and herbalists who also grow herbs and other spices for sacramental, medicinal, therapeutic, and other current and historically acclaimed uses in the industry. “In the interim, the GGPAJ would want an amnesty on the destruction of all cultivations until the much promised and long awaited Transitional Permits are in place.”

The law effectively clears the way for the decriminalisation of two ounces of marijuana, making possession a ticketable offence. Under the amended law, the Rastafarian community will have the opportunity to use ganja as part of its religious sacrament. National Security Minister Peter Bunting told his parliamentary colleagues that the implementation of the new law would take some time, as regulations would have to be developed and the Cannabis Licensing Authority established. This oversight body would have responsibility for establishing a lawful regulated hemp and medicinal ganja industry.

Governor-General Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac has announced that the government will be proposing a Cannabis Bill to govern the industry in Saint Lucia. Under the bill, simple possession of cannabis will no longer be an indictable offence. Cenac — who made the announcement while delivering his Throne Speech at the Sixth Session of the Eleventh Parliament of Saint Lucia today — did not give a timeline for the presentation of the bill. The governor-general said the initiative is intended to support the creation of jobs and boost the economy. The bill will also address the purchase, distribution and selling of cannabis and will prohibit the use of cannabis in specified circumstances. (See also: Governor General on Cannabis: “Simple possession will no longer be an indictable offence”)

The Ganja Growers and Producers Association (GGPA) welcomed the start of the consultation process for the special permit policy for the cannabis industry. The Cannabis Licencing Authority (CLA) said it had begun meeting with stakeholders on the Cultivator's (transitional) Special Permit Policy. The policy is geared towards transitioning small or subsistence farmers who currently find it challenging to obtain a licence to enter into the medical cannabis industry. While the GGPA welcomed the development, the association said it was alarmed that it was not consulted about the policy. The association noted that it has over 4,000 registered members of which over 600 are currently active.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Dermon Spence has indicated that there could be headway in sight for the difficulties with banking for the local cannabis industry. Jamaica's legal cannabis industry continues to be severely hampered as banks refuse to handle ganja money, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has acknowledged. With the strong lobby by the Jamaican Government and the changing environment in the United States for cannabis banking, there were some positive developments in sight. The country's banking industry is tied to that of the US through correspondent banking arrangements. Local banks are cautious and are “unwilling to transact business with individuals and companies operating in the legal cannabis industry”

Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, says Jamaica's ganja industry can assist in the economic recovery of the island, providing much needed foreign exchange and creating employment. Should his party become Government, they would take the law relating to the cannabis industry out of the Dangerous Drugs Act. “We will... enact a Cannabis Industry Development Act to support the inclusive development and growth of this industry,” Golding told Parliament. Households have the right to grow up to five ganja plants for medical, therapeutic or horticultural purposes. The PNP will empower householders to monetise this, by allowing them to sell their ganja to licensed processors or retailers, creating an important new economic opportunity to supplement the income of Jamaican households.

Minister of State for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, says the Government, through its Alternative Development Programme (ADP), is committed to assisting traditional cannabis growers to transition to the emerging legal medicinal industry. “The ADP was specifically created to offer farmers the technical and financial support they need to enter the legal industry. It is designed to guide the transition of small traditional Jamaican ganja farmers into the regulated and licensed cannabis industry,” he noted. “The ultimate goal is to create an environment where farmers can operate legally and where Jamaica can be positioned as a world leader in the global cannabis sector,” he added.

Government has officially passed legislation to allow the local Rastafarian community to use cannabis, however, those seeking to take advantage of the new Act will have to satisfy a number of provisions first. The Sacramental Cannabis Act 2019 was approved during a sitting in the House of Parliament with 15 clauses outlining how Rastas are to gain access to, use and handle the plant. The AG told the House the aim was to keep the Bill as simple as possible, recognizing that too many restrictions would be to the detriment of those in the faith but at the same time give these one certain freedoms. (See also: Legalise it all, Lashley says of ganja | Rastafarians vent concerns about Sacramental Cannabis Bill | Rasta body blanks ‘wrong’ ganja bills)

The Barbados Government has announced the coming of a major shift in the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act. Persons found in possession of minuscule quantities of cannabis on the streets will no longer be charged. Governor General Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason announced during The Throne Speech that the Drug Abuse Act will be amended. "We will [...] amend our Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act to provide that possession of 14 grams, or half an ounce or less of cannabis is no longer an offence for which one can be arrested, charged and tried; and will therefore not result in an appearance before the Magistrates Court or in a criminal record." Similar to a traffic ticket, the person would have 30 days to pay a fine of $200 (US$ 100).

The Ganja Growers and Producers Association (GGPAJ) says despite the success of several Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) operators, Jamaica's regulated cannabis industry has failed to live up to its potential. In a statement the GGPAJ said while the 2015 legislation was progressive, the regulations are unworkable, restrictive and draconian. It said that the industry was not designed with a ground-up approach and blamed both of the major political parties for the state of affairs. It accepted culpability too, saying it has so far failed to adequately lobby on behalf of the local sector, but claimed it can still be rescued as an inclusionary income generating enterprise for thousands of Jamaicans with a new approach. (See also: Cannabis agency defends its stewardship on ganja)

American businessman, Chase Ergen and Greek billionaire, Alki David, have formed a consortium aimed at developing the cannabis business in the Eastern Caribbean nations. The duo has disclosed plans to purchase agricultural land and partner with farmers to create a cooperative entity modeled after the ones in Switzerland. The first plane load of hemp seed for a designated parcel of land totaling 300 acres arrived in St Kitts and Nevis, but focus will also be placed on Dominica and Antigua. Ergen and David intend on reaching out to business and government leaders across the region. The cannabis initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and will also tap into the rich cultural history and cannabis know-how of the strengthening Rastafarian movement in the region.