Green light for ganja farmers - Cannabis Licensing Authority gives conditional approval to three applicants

Three applicants for permits to cultivate and process marijuana have been granted conditional approval by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA).

Two small cultivators for less than an acre of land and a third for a small processing facility received conditional approval in early January.

The granting of the conditional approval comes about nine months after the passing of regulations to facilitate the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal, scientific, and therapeutic purposes.

According to the CLA, conditional approval brings the applicant closer to being granted a licence to operate.

DISMISSED CONCERNS

In a news release yesterday, the CLA sought to dismiss concerns that it took an extended period to review the applications. The authority pointed out that the time taken to review the applications is required to conduct proper due diligence and to determine whether the applicants are fit and proper.

"At the outset, the authority mapped the application process and noted that the processing of conditional approvals could take up to six months, provided all relevant information was supplied. In several instances, information has been requested by the authority to help verify applications and any delay by applicants in providing this requested information adds to the processing timelines," CLA Chairman Cindy Lightbourne pointed out.

The CLA said it rejected the application for a fourth small cultivator, as the owner did not establish that the entity was "substantially owned or managed by persons ordinarily resident in Jamaica" as set out in the regulations.