Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hon. Karl Samuda (left), observes the signing of a tripartite agreement by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), Everything Oily Labs Limited and Epican Medicinals Limited, who were issued with Cannabis licences at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Others seated at the head table (l-r) are Chairman, Cindy Lightbourne, of the CLA, Claudine Liu of Everything Oily Labs Limited and Karibe McKenzie, Epican Medicinals Limited. Assisting with the signing (at back) are Chief Executive Officer, Greg Douglas and Legal Officer/Corporate Secretary, Ellory Taylor, of the CLA.
The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, has granted the first two licences for participation in Jamaica’s medical marijuana industry.
Licences were issued to Everything Oily Labs Limited for the processing of medical marijuana and to Epican for the cultivation of the plant at a brief ceremony held Wednesday, October 18 at the Ministry’s St Lucia Avenue offices in New Kingston.
The two entities along with the CLA also signed a tripartite agreement for the cultivation and processing of the product.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon Karl Samuda, hailed the issuing of the two licences as an historic event. Mr Samuda said that Jamaica’s medical marijuana industry was on the verge of something great and the country should act swiftly or miss the boat of opportunities.
The Minister reminded participants that Jamaica was a country of laws and, against the background of some people clamouring for speedy action, he urged the CLA to be “careful but swift” in the administration of its duties.
Chairman of the CLA, Hyacinth Lightbourne, indicated at the event that another three applicants have been approved for licences; 57 are at the conditional approval stage, and another 209 applications are being processed.
-30-
Welcome to the official website of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is described as Jamaica's "Business Ministry." It's mandate is to lead the development of policies that will create growth and jobs, while achieving social inclusion and consumer protection. The Ministry, working its stakeholders is primarily responsible for business policy development, monitoring and evaluation, while giving direction and oversight to a cluster of implementing departments and agencies.
We have, therefore, placed much energy and enthusiasm into the development of this website to provide timely information on the Ministry, our agencies and programmes.
4 St. Lucia Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 968-7116
Fax: (876) 960-7422
Email: ps_office@miic.gov.jm