Even as Cabinet has agreed in principle to allow production of hemp on a large scale subsequent to advice from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, a number of matters must be ironed out before cultivation can begin, he has said.
Nandlall on Monday explained that Cabinet had requested advice on whether the variety of hemp proposed to be cultivated is on the schedule of prohibited substances under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act.
Nandlall found that the variety is not listed as an illegal drug under the Act and therefore it was agreed that they would move forward with the framework for the industry.
According to the Attorney General, the development of the framework falls under the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry is required to create legislation to regulate the industry and to monitor the variety of the plant that will be cultivated.
Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial use.
Co-Chair of the Guyana Hemp Industries Company Inc (GHI) Michael Kirton, in a press statement, said the new industry once given the necessary approval will provide thousands of new jobs, create new industries and economic growth.
According to Kirton, the association was made aware of the government’s decision when it met with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on July 12.
“Vice President Jagdeo pointed out that cabinet and the Defence Board have already reviewed the Guyana Hemp programme as well as legal recommendations made by (the) Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General who was mandated to look into the industry,” he said in the statement.
The GHI noted that with Guyana’s unique climate, good soil and hundreds of acres of land, the plant can thrive and create a profitable industry.
Just after taking office in August 2020, Nandlall met with the Guyana Hemp Association, led by Turhane Doerga, to listen concerns.
During that meeting, the Association’s Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Asha Kissoon, produced multiple written proposals for the Attorney General setting out all the impacts hemp would have if produced here, a press release said. She said that the hemp will be produced and grown in green houses and will be cultivated by professional/trained individuals.
Dr. Kissoon had stated that that hemp cannot be planted with marijuana because the plants would cross pollinate and this would destroy the entire crop.
The team contended that hemp is a multi-billion-dollar industry, which can lend to the production of hundreds of items and can create jobs.
