Government Urges UWI To Engage Small Ganja Farmers

Science and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell has urged the University of the West indies to engage small farmers as the institution seeks to carry out medical research on the Ganja plant.

The government has accorded the University of the West Indies (UWI) an order to cultivate Ganja for medical research and to also set the pace for the development of a cannabis industry.

The order enabled the symbolic planting of Jamaica’s first legal marijuana plant, at the UWI Mona campus, in St Andrew today.

Mr Paulwell urged the participants to ensure that as the industry develops, they are able to deal with value-added products.

He stated that the license allows for contract farming and called on the university to engage small farmers in the process.

In the meantime, he told the university that he wants to be updated on the progress of the Ganja plant and research.

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Meantime Justice Minister, Mark Golding while commending the UWI for its interest in developing the industry called on persons to observe established rules governing the industry.

He describes the cannabis industry as transformational which he says looks to be beneficial to Jamaica’s economy.