Minister Dunn calls for greater collaboration in the cannabis industry across the region

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn, along with (from left) Chief Executive Officer, Cannabis Licencing Authority, Lincoln Allen; Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Michelle Parkins; and Senior Director, Industry Division, Sophia Wellington, during a CanEx Webinar, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Other presenters at the webinar are Chief Executive Officer, Medicinal Cannabis Authority, Dr. Jerrol Thompson; CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority, Algernon Roberts; Lead, Cannabis Industry Group, Sandra Gogal; and Chief Knowledge Officer, New Frontier Data, John Kagia. The webinar explored the development in cannabis legislation, the approach to policy as well as the regulatory framework for trade and investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn, is calling for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the cannabis industry across the region.

He noted that Jamaica is the lead country in the region, and is open for collaboration and partnership with our sister countries.

“We are moving in the right direction. We are at a good place. We are open to the concept of a Caribbean brand. The time is now as a people across the region to work together to achieve that common goal of wealth creation for our respective countries,” he said.

Minister Dunn was speaking at a CanEx Webinar on the Caribbean Regulatory Landscape in the cannabis industry at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday, October 22.
He stated that Jamaica has accomplished a lot of work in the cannabis industry in a very short time.

“I must commend the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) on the aggressive work it has been doing towards improving the local landscape for cannabis companies and our attractiveness to investors. This is not a Jamaica platform anymore, we have a global platform on which we have to operate, which means, the standards have to change and, we have to begin to do things at globally accepted standards,” he added.

Minister Dunn said that Jamaica is now more than ready to partner and collaborate with our CARICOM partners. He noted further that the Jamaican cannabis industry is not without its challenges, in particular, acceptance by the banking sector. He informed that conversations have commenced with the banking sector and the Bank of Jamaica with a view to identifying the requirements to inspire confidence in the cannabis industry.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), Lincoln Allen, said that there has been a lot of interest in the region in the industry.

“What we have seen is heightened interest in this lucrative industry. Regimes are being propagated. We want an economically inclusive industry. We need greater collaboration and we are committed to the learning process. The CLA is committed to the growth and development of the industry. What we want is an economically viable industry with all our stakeholders benefiting from it,” he added.

The webinar explored the development in cannabis legislations, the approach to policy development, as well as the regulatory framework for trade and investment in cannabis in the Caribbean.

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