World-renowned ganja experts head to Jamaica

The Montego Bay Conference Centre is set to host Jamaica's first cannabis seminar dedicated to shaping the future of the local cannabis market.

CanEx Jamaica is being billed as a unique conference that will focus on the North American, Latin American, and the Caribbean cannabis landscape with key insight for those looking to invest in and be an integral part of the burgeoning market.

It will feature an international speaker line-up and showcase state-of-the-art grow facilities, technology, branding, and political advocacy measures.

The one-day conference will also feature high-level content on the latest advances on the regulatory, legal, investment, and product-development landscape.

Through a distinguished panel of experienced and innovative experts shaping the future of the global cannabis market, the seminar will give first-hand insight into the most cutting-edge market innovations and technologies.

The seminar is also expected to provide unrivalled networking opportunities between the policymakers, strategic influencers and decision makers shaping the industry.

Speakers plan to host interactive sessions which facilitate delving into cannabis-related topics including medical cannabis, investment opportunities, and legal frameworks.

This will reflect the fact that amended legislation has transformed many American and European markets with the legal global cannabis market burgeoning and impacting Jamaica.

Last year, legal ganja sales in the US increased by 25 per cent to reach US$6.7 billion. The legal ganja market is forecast to hit a tremendous $21.8 billion in total annual sales by 2020.

With Jamaica developing a framework for legalisation and regulation of the weed, its long-established brand recognition means that the island already has a head start in establishing a world class legalised industry.

-CanEx Jamaica expected speakers

Boaz Wachtel, co-strategist, Israel's Medical Cannabis Program

Professor Asseem Sappal, dean, Oaksterdam University

Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism

Mark Kleiman, Chairman, BOTEC Analysis

Marcus Richardson, CEO, Cannabinoid Research and Development

Tamar Todd, legal director, Drug Policy Alliance