Cabinet Issues – By Jeressa Jeremy
Cabinet Issues Directive Cannabis
Cabinet has expressed concern over the slow pace of development of Antigua and Barbuda’s medicinal cannabis industry, issuing a direct warning to its leadership to move faster or face further scrutiny.
During the weekly post-Cabinet briefing, the Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the Chairman of the Cannabis Authority Daven Joseph and Manager Regis Burton were called before Cabinet and told in no uncertain terms that the pace of progress is unacceptable.
“Cabinet expressed its concern about the slow pace of the development of this industry – the cannabis medicinal industry,” Merchant said, adding that certain directives were given to the two managers of the Authority.
Despite the slow progress, government remains confident in the industry’s potential, with Merchant noting that Antigua and Barbuda’s cannabis is considered among the best in the region.
“Cabinet is of the view that it is something that Antigua and Barbuda can become a niche market,” he said, pointing to a recent collaboration between the University of the West Indies St Augustine campus and Antigua and Barbuda to study and develop the industry as evidence of that growing recognition.
The upcoming third annual Antigua and Barbuda Cannabis Festival, scheduled for April 17th to 20th, is being viewed as a potential turning point. Merchant said Cabinet is hoping the event injects fresh momentum into the sector.
“I think what Cabinet is looking for is during this festival that they will be having, that immediately after you will see some additional energy being focused on moving the process forward and moving it quickly,” he said.
Joseph and Burton have been advised that they will be called back before Cabinet following the festival to account for its productivity and outline next steps.
“Cabinet advised the two individuals that they must move swiftly to develop the industry and for the benefits that it anticipates to be derived, that the coffers of Antigua and Barbuda can see some returns,” Merchant added.
Figures on the number of currently licensed medicinal cannabis operators were not immediately available at the briefing.
