202 Conditional Approvals Issued By CLA
By: , February 24, 2019The Key Point:
Photo: Mark Bell
Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) Director of Enforcement and Monitoring, Faith Graham, addresses a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, held on Thursday (February 21), at the JIS headquarters in Kingston.
Photo: Mark Bell
Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) Manager for Logistics and Infrastructure, Don Gittens, speaks at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held on Thursday (February 21), at the agency's headquarters in Kingston.The Facts
- “They have gone through all of the verification, including due diligence being done on the construct of the company and its directors and shareholders, to ensure they are fit and proper to hold a medical cannabis licence,” he noted.
- “We find that quite a few applicants request the extension of their conditional approval, the main reason given… is insufficient funds to complete the buildout of the facilities or properties,” she noted.
The Full Story
The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has issued 202 conditional approvals from a total of 563 applications since its establishment in 2015.
The approvals fall under the five licence categories that the Authority regulates – cultivation, research and development, transportation, and retail and processing of medical cannabis.
Of the total, 37 applicants have put the necessary measures in place to be granted a licence, with 29 already issued. The other 165 applicants remain at the same stage of the process.
Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) Manager for Logistics and Infrastructure, Don Gittens, explained that the conditional approval means that “the person has submitted their application and has supplied all the supporting documentation needed for the application to move forward”.
“They have gone through all of the verification, including due diligence being done on the construct of the company and its directors and shareholders, to ensure they are fit and proper to hold a medical cannabis licence,” he noted.
Mr. Gittens was addressing a Think Tank at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) headquarters in Kingston on Thursday (February 21).
JAMPRO has responsibility for investment and promotion of the medical cannabis industry.
Director of Enforcement and Monitoring at CLA, Faith Graham, who also addressed the Think Tank, told JIS News that following the receipt of the conditional approval from the Authority, applicants are obligated to satisfy certain requirements prescribed in the Interim Regulations, before the licence is granted.
“Conditional approval typically lasts for six months. However, it is largely dependent on the applicant, as they have to satisfy certain conditions, such as the property being fit for purpose, so they have to prepare themselves to get to the other stage,” she noted.
“We find that quite a few applicants request the extension of their conditional approval, the main reason given… is insufficient funds to complete the buildout of the facilities or properties,” she noted.