Anthony Hylton, Opposition Spokesperson on Industry, Investment and Global Logistics
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Anthony Hylton
By Kimone Witter
The Parliamentary Opposition has said it will be tabling questions in Parliament as it seeks to get more information on the approval that was granted for the shipment of ganja from Canada to Jamaica.
In responding to questions during the sitting of the Standing Finance committee on Wednesday, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill confirmed that the single application met the required standards under an existing trade agreement between the two countries.
But Anthony Hylton, Opposition Spokesperson on Industry, Investment and Global Logistics, who led questions on the matter at the committee meeting, has said a more precise explanation on the import request is needed from Minister Hill.
Speaking Friday on Real Business on Power 106, Mr. Hylton said the additional questions he will table are important because, without knowing more, the situation is alarming.
He argued that by facilitating the import, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has failed to protect Jamaica's interest in the industry.
The opposition spokesman accused the government of being ambivalent about the cannabis industry, adding that this attitude has filtered into the CLA.
"We have to be very intentional about how we approach the development of the cannabis industry because it is in fact one of our best assets and needs to be to be advanced," he maintained.
While Mr. Hylton admitted that the industry, which is in global demand, cannot be operated in "any simple protectionist way", he suggested that under World Trade Organization rules, there are measures that can be taken to safeguard Jamaica's interest as a developing country.
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