Cannabis Licensing Authority to regulate ganja industry

Kingston, Jamaica — Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding on Wednesday said that a Cannabis Licensing Authority is to be established to regulate the proposed hemp and medicinal ganja industry in Jamaica.

This is one of the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2015, which is expected to be tabled in the Senate on Friday, and is seeking to decriminalise ganja for medicinal, religious, and private/personal use.

Cannabis Licensing Authority will be responsible for establishing a lawful, regulated hemp and medicinal ganja industry.

“The Cannabis Licensing Authority will, with the approval of the minister responsible for justice, make regulations treating with (among other things) procedures and criteria for applying for and retention of licences, permits and other authorisations for cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and other handling of ganja for medicinal, scientific and therapeutic purposes,” Golding said.