First two cannabis licences granted

Cannabis Licensing Authority has granted the first two licences for participation in Jamaica’s medical marijuana industry.

Everything Oily Labs Limited has been issued a licence as a processor while Epican is licensed to cultivate.

Chairman of the CLA, Hyacinth Lightbourne, says another three applicants have been approved for licences.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda is commending the CLA for being diligent and unswerving in its approval process.

Samuda noted criticism about the pace of approvals, but said Jamaica must ensure it does all due diligence to ensure it continues to be a part of the global cannabis industry.

However, he cautioned that while the board should be careful, it must also be swift as other players globally are moving ahead with their cannabis products.