The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday said talks on marijuana cultivation and the accompanying regulatory regime will be held with regional leaders at the upcoming Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

Jomo Campbell, newly-appointed minister of agriculture and marine resources, said more than 300 attendees from 21 countries are expected to attend when the conference is held in The Bahamas next week.

Speaking at the Prime Minister's Office's media briefing, he said the event will feature a special session on marijuana farming with regional experts, with Bahamians interested in growing cannabis able to join in the discussion.

He said: “I'm pleased to announce that we will be hosting a special session on cannabis farming, where high level stakeholders in the region will speak to their experience about medical cannabis. We expect that countries such as Belize, Jamaica and St Lucia will speak about their road map to cannabis farming and provide an insightful conversation on the topic.

“And we're encouraging anyone who has an interest in growing medicinal cannabis to join us, either in person or virtually, for this event. We note that all of the sessions of Caribbean Week of Agriculture will be well-timed to assist us in growing this vital sector of our economy”

Mr Campbell added that discussions around the awarding of marijuana licences are still ongoing with the Attorney General’s Office and other stakeholders. He said: “That discussion is still ongoing, and it's a matter right now of high priority for the Attorney General's Office and all the other relevant stakeholders, and we should have a firm conclusion on that in short order. As I said, the activity and discussion is still at a fever pitch. It's still very high.”

Mr Campbell added that "confidence is high" that the necessary legislation to legalise and regulate medical marijuana will be tabled during Parliament's upcoming session. “I can say that the confidence is high. As you know with these things, they ebb and flow," he said.

“As a result of the conference that we'll be having next week, there may be new initiatives. There may be new amendments that we may have that we may deem important and necessary to be implemented, and what it is we want to achieve.”

Mr Campbell explained that the conference will provide a valuable opportunity to consult with regional leaders and ensure the legislation is "as right as possible". He added: “We see far too often that we go pass laws and then we have to come back and amend and re-amend, so that is why the Caribbean Week of Agriculture is important on this session, in particular, because we wanted to get it as right as possible.

“We know perfection, sometimes a far-fetched idea and hope springs eternal, but we want to get it as right as possible before we bring it to the Bahamian people.”