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Action Must be Taken with Medical Marijuana Industry – Dr. Wheatley

By: , April 20, 2017

The Key Point:

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says decisive action needs to be taken as it relates to the medical marijuana industry, so that the country can reap the benefits from the sector.
Action Must be Taken with Medical Marijuana Industry – Dr. Wheatley
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, speaking in the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (April 18). Seated (at left) is Member of Parliament for St. James Central, Heroy Clarke.

The Facts

  • “We have to start leading from the front because we have a crop with significant medicinal and nutraceutical value that is lying idle because we are not serious as it relates to the direction we want it to go,” he said.

The Full Story

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says decisive action needs to be taken as it relates to the medical marijuana industry, so that the country can reap the benefits from the sector.

“We have to be very careful that we do not lose this opportunity. We are a blessed nation, blessed people, but we are dilly-dallying too much around with the medical marijuana issue. We have to take a conscious decision on where we want to go as it relates to medical marijuana. It is either we are supporting it or we are going to just sit by and let it pass by,” he said.

Dr. Wheatley made the call during his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 18.

“We have to start leading from the front because we have a crop with significant medicinal and nutraceutical value that is lying idle because we are not serious as it relates to the direction we want it to go,” he said.

The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015, which was passed into law and became effective on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 provides for the creation of a Cannabis Licensing Authority, which will be responsible for developing the regulations governing the medical marijuana industry.

With the passage of amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, Jamaica joined a number of growing countries that have decriminalised marijuana.

Last Updated: April 20, 2017

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