Health Ministry a hindrance to medical ganja industry development – Golding

Opposition spokesman on Finance Mark Golding says the Ministry of Health is a hindrance to the development of the local medical ganja industry.

Addressing yesterday's sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament examining the 2018/19 Estimates of Expenditure, Golding said the Ministry of Health has been especially problematic in the approvals process for prospective licences.

He said the rigid bureaucratic process has turned off a number of overseas investors.

As a result, the former Justice Minister said Jamaica is missing out on the full economic benefits of a properly developed and regulated medical ganja industry.

Golding said the government needs to demonstrate that it is fully supportive of a medical ganja industry.

He suggested that the present Cannabis Licensing Board be restructured to represent a wider range of stakeholders as a start.