Jamaica is working towards stamping out its illicit cannabis market by offering a leg up to farmers growing unlicensed cannabis. 

To help raise communities out of poverty and promote sustainable development the government is working with unlicensed farmers to help transition them into the regulated market, rather than punishing them for growing underground weed. 

Two years ago, Canadian cannabis companies were racing to scoop up international assets, from swaths of fertile land in southern Africa to cultivation licences in Jamaica and everything in between.

Now, with fears of a cash crunch looming over the industry, some of the same producers who spent tens of millions to build an international presence have started dialling back, putting projects on hold or divesting of their foreign operations altogether.

And it’s a trend that some pot analysts expect will only intensify over the next 12 months.

Jamaica's quickly expanding medicinal marijuana industry has been the source of much discourse recently.

In an opinion piece by Dr Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, carried by the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 entitled 'Medicinal Cannabis: A new horizon for small Jamaican cultivators', she details how medicinal cannabis ought to be considered a new horizon for Jamaican cultivators, and that more should be done to protect said industry from toxic overseas infiltration by means of investors with intent to exploit.

It’s a well-known fact that cannabis fans are always ready for an adventure and trying out new stuff. That’s exactly why weed destinations are one of the fastest-growing trends on Earth!

So, put your day-dreams into high gear and check this list of some of the best destinations for a cannabis holiday on the planet!

1. Colorado, USA

Colorado was the first US state to legalize the recreational use and sale of cannabis. Namely, the US represents the largest market for medicinal cannabis; seeing how the government also supports the cultivation of cannabis, it’s grown all around the state. 

Jamaica is continuing to move – albeit slowly – towards establishing a thriving medicinal cannabis industry.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says the growing global market for cannabis provides the opportunity for Jamaica to become a first-choice destination for travellers who want to use medical cannabis.

Mr. Green, who was speaking at the official opening of Apollon Formularies Limited in Westmoreland on October 25, said “the fact that Jamaica is already a world-renowned hospitality and tourism destination is a guaranteed formula for a successful cannabis industry”.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, says progress is being made in the build-out of the local medical cannabis industry, with work advanced on regulations and guidelines.

He said the ministry is in receipt of the first draft of the import/export regulations for cannabis for final review and discussion.

The regulations, upon enactment, will give the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) jurisdiction or statutory authority to handle requests for import/export of inflorescence/flower and extract/resin.

While the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana has not yet taken a definitive stance on marijuana use in The Bahamas, its recommendations will give the government options for various regulated models, according to commission co-chair Quinn McCartney.

McCartney projected The Bahamas could see some form of regulation, not dissimilar to Jamaica’s heavily regulated model, within a short period of time.

“It is something that can be implemented, once it is properly organized and the right resources are invested,” McCartney said.

“I think it’s something that could be doable in a short period of time.”

Companies vying to be the biggest cannabis producer in America or Canada are wasting their time and suffering from a crippling lack of vision. The real play is to make a bid to become the worldwide leader in global cannabis exports — like firms in Jamaica and Lesotho as well as Canada are attempting to do — and the window of time to get in is closing fast, according to one entrepreneur with clear-cut plans to curb that market.