JAMAICA | 100th Medicinal Cannabis licence awarded - Laws soon to enhance licensing process says Hill

KINGSTON, Jamaica May 12, 2022 - Jamaica yesterday handed out its 100th licence for the handling of medicinal cannabis to the management of  Pure Jamaica Limited’s Pharmaceutical Division, Seven-10, as the country tries to deliver on its promise to “grow the medicinal cannabis industry, and increase medical and therapeutic cannabis exports.

In handing over the licence in a ceremony hosted by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) at the at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill promised that in an effort to free up the bureaucracy to better facilitate the process of obtaining licences in the cannabis industry, key amendments to the legislation are expected to be made in the next few months.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill (left), presents the 100th licence for the Medicinal and Therapeutic Handling of Cannabis in Jamaica, to Board Director of Seven-10 Limited, Mrs. Hyacinth Symes, at a ceremony hosted by the Cannabis Licensing Authority, at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, in Kingston, on May 11. Sharing the moment (from second left) are Board Director of Seven-10 Limited’s parent-company, Pure Jamaican, Robert Wright and Board Director at Seven-10, Brian Wright.

“I promise I will push for it. The Ministry and the CLA team are passionate about the orderly development of this industry, and we commit our support to all stakeholders in the industry,” the Minister added.

He went on to say that his Ministry intends to “ramp up the work of the cannabis industry task force, with the aim of fine-tuning key programmes, as well as initiatives such as the Alternative Development Programme and the mother farm concept, to allow for better social inclusion and internal integration in the industry”.

Against that background, tHill says he is encouraging the relevant stakeholders to remain committed to “growing the industry, creating more jobs, increasing medical and therapeutic cannabis exports, and contributing to the further economic development of Jamaica”.

“I intend to see that cannabis realises its potential as a key contributor to the economy. To this end, I have been working very closely with the CLA for the last few months to reset the industry and chart a course towards its growth and sustainability,” he said.

The CLA issued its first licence in October 2017 and has since distributed 156 export authorisations to more than 10 countries, including Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.

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