Jamaica Planning for Global Medical Cannabis Exports

Cannabis regulators in Jamaica unveiled a new plan on Wednesday to revise the country’s medical cannabis cultivation and processing rules, Cannabis Wire reports.

The new rules emphasize quality control, consistency, and compliance for the medical and scientific use of cannabis. The rules are an effort to align Jamaica‘s cannabis industry with international best practices, which in turn should boost the attractiveness of its medical cannabis exports. Officials say they followed guidelines from ASTM International, a global standards organization, in crafting the regulations.

“While we are a locally-based industry, we are globally focused,” said Floyd Green, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

“We are focused on exporting our cannabis flower and cannabis products to the entire world. We are quite clear that for us to have a seamless system of exports, people must be assured that the cannabis that is grown here and the products produced here are safe and are of the highest standards.” — Green, during a presentation

Jamaica’s cannabis regiment has drawn criticism from small farmers who say the industry is poorly positioned to help low and middle-income Jamaicans. The Ganja Growers and Producers Association called the regulatory framework “unworkable, restrictive, bureaucratic, and draconian,” according to the report.

The new rules announcement follows the recent departure from the island of at least two major Canadian cannabis entities who left due to financial concerns.

Minister Green also described upcoming plans to boost cannabis tourism opportunities in Jamaica.