Anxiety among small farmers about being sidelined in legal ganja industry

Despite assurances from the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), there continues to be anxiety in the ganja farming community about the possibility of  small farmers being sidelined by bigger operators.

The CLA has signed off  on regulations that will result in the development of  a legal ganja industry in Jamaica for medicinal, therapeutic and scientific purposes. The regulations will make provisions governing how licenses are granted, and the requirements.

Verald Vassell, Cannabis Licensing Authority Board member, acknowledged on RJR's Beyond the Headlines, on Thursday, that the regulations have been made with provisions to protect small ganja farmers. He argued, however, that these attempts do not go far enough. He pointed to the cost of fencing and other processes required to get the farm operable, which will leave the small farmer at a disadvantage.  

Cindy Lightbourne, Chairperson of  the Board of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, also speaking on Beyond the headlines, sought to ease these concerns. She asserted that provisions in the regulations will protect small farmers, by making it less expensive to obtain licenses. She added that small farmers will be charged less for their licenses. 

Miss Lightbourne added that a public education campaign will begin soon about the regulations and to inform farmers about how they will be affected, "so that they themselves are integrally involved in understanding the process and so that we can aid them in the process as much as possible."