A number of foreign investors who grew frustrated at Government bureaucracy and left Jamaica last year could return to the island if the new Administration formalises the regulations governing the ganja industry.

Delano Seiveright and Paul Burke, two of the island’s leading cannabis law reformers, in separate interviews with the

Jamaica Observer, confirmed the potential investors’ frustration.

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) did not start accepting applications on April 4, as it had initially indicated.

In a news release Tuesday, the CLA cited the recent change in government as the reason for the delay. They did not, however, indicate a new date for accepting applications, but said that they expect that before the end of the month, they will start reviewing applications.

“The transition to a new Government has caused some delays in our getting the regulations that had been developed approved,” CLA Chairman Dr Andre Gordon confirmed.

The image of Jamaica in the media has always been related to either Bob Marley or marijuana. While both Marley and ganja have deep roots planted in this spectacular island, the reality of consuming and cultivating cannabis in Jamaica differs greatly from the perception. You could even go so far as to call Jamaica’s lack of regulations its worst kept secret. Strangely enough, marijuana has been illegal in Jamaica for decades. In April, 2015 that started to change with the passing of the “ganja law” that decriminalizes marijuana but only to a certain extent. Naturally, radical changes are not that common on the island and to say this law does not come without limitations would be an exaggeration of biblical proportions.

The Nitty Gritty

Renowned scientist Dr Henry Lowe has pointed to the huge foreign exchange potential of nutraceuticals and medical cannabis and says that Jamaica needs to move quickly to capture its share of what is a rapidly growing global market.

“With limited effort, there is an estimated potential earning of over US$300 million from these two products in the next three years if the products are properly marketed,” Lowe, who has developed a number of nutraceutical products using Jamaican plants, told the 50th anniversary annual general meeting of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association last week

The island’s parish councils want to be able to make regulations that will enable them to earn fees from commercial activities relating to ganja.

The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) council meeting yesterday supported a resolution passed by the St Catherine Parish Council on January 14 for the Portmore Municipal Council and all the other councils to be allowed to make regulations to enable the sharing of fees related to the “cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and handling of marijuana within their particular jurisdiction”.

The island’s parish councils want to be able to make regulations that will enable them to earn fees from commercial activities relating to ganja.

The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) council meeting yesterday supported a resolution passed by the St Catherine Parish Council on January 14 for the Portmore Municipal Council and all the other councils to be allowed to make regulations to enable the sharing of fees related to the “cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and handling of marijuana within their particular jurisdiction”.

There are many signs that some Caribbean countries may well develop into an Eldorado for cannabis and its consumers in the coming years. Read about the seven most important reasons here.

Jamaica decriminalized cannabis last year, thanks in a large part to Justice Minister Mark Golding. But Golding’s party was voted out of power last week. There’s a good chance his replacement will move forward on reform, but it’s no sure thing.

In April 2015, the government of Jamaica, under the People’s National Party, amended the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) to decriminalize cannabis possession, legalize home cultivation of up to five plants for medicinal and sacramental use, and create a new, licensed industry for medical cannabis and hemp. Such reform was hailed at home and abroad.

Drinking marijuana tea is a lesser-known method of consuming cannabis that elicits a more delayed, prolonged high than smoking the drug and can also be considered a safer alternative as smoking anything can be harmful to the lungs and respiratory system. 

OLD HARBOUR — Jerry and his brother Steve, both in their thirties, thin and gnarled, are farmers without land. They live in Old Harbour, a dusty village in Saint Catherine Parish, an hour west of the capital Kingston, and rent small plots from area landlords and grow fruits and vegetables that they sell on the markets. They also cultivate ganja, the local name for cannabis.

Ganja growing is a widespread activity in Jamaica for the simple reason that the majority of people here consume the product. And yet, until April, it was strictly prohibited.