Ganja licences on the doorsteps

Persons desirous of legally entering into the ganja cultivation business should soon have the opportunity to do so.

This is because the regulations governing Jamaica’s legal marijuana industry are scheduled to be published online on Tuesday, May 31.

In a media outline on Monday, Hyacinth Lightbourne, chairperson of the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), said the board has approved the licensing regulations, which were gazetted last Thursday.

Upon being published online, members of the public will be able to apply for licences to grow, process, distribute, sell and transport both hemp and ganja for medicinal and scientific purposes.

Ms Lightbourne said the stringent regulations in place are intended to discourage illicit practices in the marijuana industry.

Under the regulations, potential legitimate participants in the industry will have to acquire specific licences for each aspect of the industry they want to be involved in.

Ms Lightbourne said this measure is to ensure that the business is properly regulated.

She noted that the regulations do not address the issue of exporting ganja.