(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) yesterday hailed the breakthrough development of the first legal shipment of cannabis derived product (cannabis oil) to Canada from Jamaica.
The announcement was made by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw earlier yesterday, outlining that the shipment was authorised through an import permit issued by the Government of Canada through Health Canada for Jamaica and an export permit issued by the Ministry of Health in Jamaica.
Shadow Minister of Planning and former Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Ambassador Anthony Hylton in a release from the PNP commended all involved in this “historic development” as it fulfils one of the purposes for which the legal framework setting up the Cannabis Licence Authority (CLA) was put in place, and also meets a key objective of the previous administration in establishing a medical cannabis industry in Jamaica.
The shadow minister also noted earlier concerns expressed by individuals involved in the local cannabis industry, that the working relationship between the CLA and Ministry of Health was strained, thus jeopardising the prospects of an early development of exports of Cannabis related products to overseas markets receptive to cannabis products from Jamaica.
“It is good to see a level of cooperation between the CLA and the agencies and departments of government, in order to facilitate the growth and development of this still promising industry,” he said.
“Let us hope that this event does not remain a one-off event, but paves the way for a much streamlined and institutionalised arrangement, that sees the sustained development of overseas markets for Jamaica’s cannabis related products, including manufactured and value added cannabis related products in the future,” he continued.
He further expressed that this announcement could mark a turning point in delivering on the hopes and aspiration of those who have toiled hard in trying to build a legal cannabis industry in Jamaica.