Cannabis Industry in the Caribbean: A Step towards Regional Collaboration
A Report from the Caribbean Cannabis Forum
Antigua and Barbuda Hosts Wadadli (Cannabis) Festival
A Senior Legal Officer in the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs and Saint Lucia’s Regulated Substances Authority representative, Mr. Dylan Norbert-Inglis, recently returned from the Wadadli (Cannabis) Festival held in Antigua and Barbuda in April 2024. The festival, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority, sought to celebrate and inform the general public on matters related to medicinal cannabis and the Rastafarian heritage.
Inaugural Meeting of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum
On the second night of the festival, members of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum (CCF) – comprising Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Federation of Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis – met for the inaugural meeting of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum. The CCF resulted from the Memorandum of Understanding executed in Saint Lucia during the Cannabis Symposium in March 2024.
Membership and Secretariat Appointed
Members of the CCF appointed the Medicinal Cannabis Authority of the Federation of Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis to chair the Forum, and the Regulated Substances Authority of Saint Lucia to serve as Secretary. Representatives from the observer agencies of the Cannabis Licensing Authority of Jamaica, the Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority, and the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority were also in attendance to lend support to the initiative and indicate an intention to become full members of the CCF in the near future.
A Call for Action and Collaboration
Mr. Norbert-Inglis described the meeting as long overdue, stating, “This inaugural meeting of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum facilitated open discourse on a number of cannabis-related matters which require consideration and action within a regional and international context.”
Conclusion
The Caribbean Cannabis Forum marks an important step towards regional collaboration in the cannabis industry. The meeting highlighted the need for cooperation and information-sharing among countries in the region to address common challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the purpose of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum?
A: The Caribbean Cannabis Forum aims to promote regional cooperation, information-sharing, and collective action among Caribbean countries to support the development of the cannabis industry.
Q: What countries are currently participating in the Caribbean Cannabis Forum?
A: The following countries are currently participating in the CCF: Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Federation of Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis.
Q: Will other countries be allowed to join the CCF in the future?
A: Yes, countries that have observer status will be given the opportunity to become full members of the CCF in the near future.