The Cannabis Commercial Council, established by the lobby group Ganja Growers and Producers Association, holds its second meeting today.
In a release, the council said the issues to be addressed include banking regulations and current challenges, the Cannabis Licensing Authority’s (CLA) proposed alternative development program and the proposed cannabis industry 2018 framework, drafted by stakeholders and to be presented to the Government.
The draft objectives, which were accepted at the Inaugural meeting of the council on October 29, 2017, are also set to be discussed.
The council listed its objectives as:
* To research, develop and formulate policies for the holistic development of the Jamaican cannabis industry to its full potential, in particular pertaining to finance and funding, research, technology, standards and quality control, cultivation, production, processing, manufacturing to include beverages, edibles, nutraceutical, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, international relationships and exportation;
* To ensure that the short and long terms economic interests of the traditional and small ganja cultivators are protected and secured, particularly in terms of their economic enabling and empowerment in association with the Ganja Growers and Producers Jamaica;
* To develop a code of ethics and standards for those engaged in the cannabis industry, including a dispute resolution mechanism as a first option before civil litigation;
* To bring together the stakeholders in the cannabis space to form an advisory council to the Government of Jamaica, the CLA and other organizations with a vested interest;
* And to advocate a system for timely processing, efficiency and transparency in the application approval process and to see that there is an acceptable code of ethics for those responsible for the approval of applications.
Membership, it said, is open to all applicants to the CLA, including those already in receipt of their conditional approval and or licenses.
