Opposition spokesperson on trade, Omar Newell, is calling for immediate action to address the challenges facing the local marijuana industry, following the closure of a branch of medical marijuana company Jacana.
Jacana said ineffective regulation, including the inability to deliver products on par with illicit ganja operators, has hurt its viability.
“These recent developments underscore the urgent need for effective regulation and support for legal operators in the industry,” Newell said in a media release on Thursday.
He charged that the Cannabis Licensing Authority’s (CLA) delay in finalizing the regulations since the 2015 Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act, has caused a significant strain on the operations of the industry.
He added that this is making it more difficult for legal operators to compete with illicit ganja operators due to regulatory barriers.
“It is unacceptable that operators within the industry are hindered by regulatory barriers such as the inability to deliver products to consumers. We must follow the example of states like California and Michigan, which have successfully implemented delivery options for marijuana products,” Newell said.
Newell urged Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill to take immediate action to address these issues and work closely with legal players in the industry to develop solutions that will drive the growth and sustainability of Jamaica’s marijuana sector.
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