At least four ganja growers and consultants are known to be separately experimenting with crops or supply chains in undisclosed locations so that they are ready to roll once Jamaica gives the green light on commercial licences.

Junior Gordon from Westmoreland is not saying, but another industry source who has tested his product says that he has the highest-grade marijuana, with Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, content in excess of 23 per cent. That compares to the 9-13 THC content normally found in Jamaican ganja.

"I have already signed an exclusive contract with a pharmaceutical company. I have so many more people calling me daily and coming at me to make deals, but at this time, what I am producing is exclusive to this company," said Gordon.

Marijuana legalization has been a political issue in the United States for some time, and while it remains illegal in most states, others have softened their stance in recent years. Colorado and Washington both passed initiatives by popular vote to decriminalize and legalize cannabis in 2012. In 2014, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., followed suit. Many states including Massachusetts, California, Missouri, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada and Ohio have flirted with legalization for a few election cycles, with buzz growing.

The United States isn't the only country where people use marijuana legally or illicitly. In fact, it isn’t even the country with the highest reported marijuana use.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has announced that it will be ready to accept applications for ganja licences for Monday, April 4, 2016.

The regulations that will allow for the granting of licences have now been drafted and are currently being reviewed ahead of finalisation and approval, which is expected in the next two weeks, a news release from the Cannabis Licensing Authority said Monday.

The regulations, according to the release, will immediately allow for the publishing of application forms as well as the furnishing of information to potential licensees on eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions of licences.

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, is encouraging Jamaicans to prepare to take advantage of the economic benefits to be derived from the ganja industry.

He said licences will shortly be issued to farmers for the legal cultivation of ganja, and plans are in place to expand research and development.

“In April to May of this year, we will be expanding that facility to enable full commercialisation for those of you who want to get into the thing properly and legally…,” Minister Paulwell said.

Amanda Feilding and the Beckley Foundation are at the forefront of research into the potential benefits of whole cannabis and its individual cannabinoids, and part of a growing movement protecting rare strains of this remarkable plant.

The movement to recover and investigate endemic cannabis strains started in the 1960s. Expeditions were embarked upon along the "Hippie Trail", and enthusiasts collected seeds to grow in their gardens around the world. The strains like Acapulco Gold, Pure Afghan and Chocolate Thai gained huge popularity at the time, but have subsequently faded away, and have been eclipsed by the modern cross-bred varieties. 

The U.S. cannabis industry has witnessed some amazing developments, but now marijuana entrepreneur James Lee is preparing to offer a deal that some years ago would have been considered little more than a pipe dream.

On October 24, 2016, a commercial-grade cruise liner filled with cannabis professionals will depart from Florida for Jamaica, where they will be greeted with an epic all-you-can-consume cannabis trade show specifically tailored for the business-minded cannabis consumer.

The late great Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley had an effortless natural beauty about him. His enviable head of sun-bleached dreads fell just so; his high-wattage smile gleamed; his taut, athletic frame appeared full of soul. It was the type of vibrancy you wish you could bottle—and on the eve of what would have been his 71st birthday, Marley’s family is attempting to do just that with a new hemp seed oil–based apothecary line that bears his name.

Reggae icon Bob Marley will be releasing the first in a slated line of cannabis products this weekend, it has been revealed.

Marking the anniversary of his 71st Birthday on the 6th February 2016, 'Marley Natural' has been made in conjunction with The Marley Estate and New York based Privateer Holdings. It’s the first line to be released, with more to follow.

“If my father was here physically, he would be up front advocating for this plant, so we are very proud to put our Marley Natural brand out there,” Stephen Marley told Biillboard.

Industry Minister Anthony Hylton has signalled to prospective ganja investors that interim regulations to police the industry should be in place by March.

It would pave the way for commercial ganja and allow persons in the trade to start emerging from under the radar.

Hylton told the Financial Gleaner on the margins of the annual Cannabiz business conference, hosted by the National Alliance for the Legalisation of Ganja, that drafting instructions for the regulations had been issued to the chief parliamentary counsel and the process should be completed by the end of February.

The final set of regulations will be promulgated after further consultations, he said.