Cannabis Licensing Authority promises full transparency

Dr. Andre Gordon, Chairman of Jamaica's Cannabis Licensing Authority, has promised that the organization will operate in a completely transparent manner, as it seeks to regulate the local marijuana industry.

It is expected that the final regulations, being developed by the Authority will be in place during the first quarter of 2016, according to Dr. Gordon, who was addressing a conference on Jamaica’s Cannabis Reforms, at Swept Away Resort in Negril, on November 14.

“The drafting of the regulations will start this month (November). We have agreed that we will have interim regulations to facilitate research and development work… for the Minister to take to Cabinet before the end of 2015. We expect to have at least the first set of final regulations in place by the end of the first quarter of 2016,” he said.

Dr. Gordon said stakeholders in the industry will be kept abreast of all discussions and decisions, to ensure that there are no areas of uncertainty.

“Whatever we do that is not sensitive at the moment of discussion or decision, will not be kept away from the stakeholders. We don’t expect and will not give anyone the opportunity to have any doubts about how licences are issued and who get licences,”  he said.

Dr. Gordon emphasized that the guidelines which are used to govern the Authority will be made available to industry participants, in an effort to keep everyone properly informed.

He reiterated that the main function of the Authority is to foster the sector’s growth and development, and regulate the legal marijuana and hemp industry in Jamaica.

“This will be done in a manner that is consistent with Jamaica’s international treaty obligations regarding the use and export of narcotic substances. Nothing that we do will contravene our international obligations,” Dr. Gordon declared.

He said that under the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Authority has been given the power to issue licences, permits and authorisations for the handling of hemp and marijuana for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes.

Dr. Gordon added that while the organization  has no authority over the religious or sacramental use of marijuana, it will ensure that persons from that sector are treated fairly in respect of their right to  participate in a legally regulated industry.

He reiterated that three orders have been issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining for the use of marijuana for research purposes and that the Authority, by law, will maintain jurisdiction over the drug that is used for research.