Green Light for Local Ganja Farmers

By: LeVaughn Flynn

amaica’s emerging medical cannabis industry is creating a path for traditional farmers to enter the sector, and this is

On April 13, Senator Aubyn Hill, the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, announced he will be championing some policy changes that will remove the licensing fees for traditional ganja farmers for five years. Minister Hill added that this, in conjunction with the mother farm concept in the Cultivators Transitional Permit, will not only reduce the financial barriers but provide a ready market for the farmers.

While this requires Cabinet approval, the announcement has struck hope among the traditional ganja farming community. Farmers have long been requesting a smoother path to enter the industry so there is equitable representation. It now looks like they will finally get it and this move can be a gamechanger. Here are four positive signals this new plan by the Government represents.

Promote Social Equity – Across the world, social equity is touted as one of the pillars for the new cannabis industry. Some countries, including Jamaica, are achieving this by wiping criminal records of persons who were charged for a small possession of ganja. By taking it a step further and creating the means to transition traditional farmers from the illicit to the legal industry, it promotes inclusivity and fair opportunity for income generation. Cannabis has always been a plant of the common man. It is only fair that they get an equal chance.

“

Collaboration – A key feature of the Government’s plan to provide winning opportunities for local farmers is the mother farm concept. Farmers can pair with licensed companies and cultivate on their behalf while setting a mutually-agreed price for the dried plants. This relationship can create greater efficiencies for the company and the farmer can have a guaranteed market for the crop, assuming there is sufficient market demand.

Crime Reduction? – It’s no secret Jamaican ganja features heavily in the guns-for-drugs trade. Based on reports by local authorities, illegally grown Jamaican ganja is exchanged for guns in the criminal underworld which is then used by gangs in their illicit activities. If the Government is successful in transitioning farmers from the illegal to the medicinal industry, this could potentially disrupt the supply chain to the underground market.

But for this to be successful, there needs to be strong incentives for the traditional farmer to switch. Waiving the fees and creating ease of business is a step in the right direction.

Build Brand Equity – What better story could there be than Jamaica, the cultural home of cannabis, cultivating organic, sun-grown ganja with the expertise of its traditional farmers?

Our Jamaicaness is what separates our cannabis culture and experience from everyone else in the world and has garnered global adoration. Including the farmers in the industry maintains authenticity, builds brand equity and is a better story.

The growth trajectory for the cannabis industry is an encouraging sign for Jamaica given all we have to offer. Hopefully, more traditional farmers can soon make the switch and help build our industry.

LeVaughn Flynn is a medical cannabis advocate and former Chairman of the Cannabis Licensing Authority of Jamaica.