Auditor General urged to investigate Cannabis Licensing Authority

More than a dozen workers at the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) are urging the Auditor General's Department to investigate the entity's hiring and firing practices.

This call follows a Sunday Gleaner investigation revealing that an oversight committee was disbanded shortly after it voted against an applicant who was subsequently hired. 

An employee highlighted the urgent need for Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis to probe the CLA, pointing to a "total lack of transparency" since the committee's disbandment six months ago. "Mrs Monroe Ellis should step in urgently. We have no other hope. Six months without the committee?" 

Another official said "contracts are weaponised and utilised to suppress employees so they suffer in silence or to fire employees". 

"The management style has led to low staff morale and fostered division and isolation within the organisation," noted a third official, who said the audit should examine potential conflicts of interest in recruitments.  

The CLA, which regulates Jamaica's ganja industry, employs 65 people, all on contracts. The agency's chief executive officer (CEO), Farrah Blake, has not responded to questions The Gleaner submitted last month. 

The Jamaica Civil Service Association, a union representing 30,000 government workers, has expressed concern about the absence of the Human Resource Executive Committee. 

According to the CLA's Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual, the CEO is “ultimately accountable for the exercise of the human resource management functions of the authority” and “in carrying out such functions, the CEO shall establish accountability mechanisms, to include a Human Resource Executive Committee". 

The committee of senior staff makes recommendations for appointment, separation, training, and discipline to the CEO. 

In January, the committee rejected a candidate for the position of director of human resource management and administration, citing insufficient qualifications. It suggested considering the candidate for a procurement division role instead.

Shortly after the vote, the CEO dissolved the committee, citing a need to review its terms of reference. The committee has not been re-established since.

The candidate was hired in February but resigned in May.

Since the committee's disbandment, at least 10 positions have been filled, along with numerous reassignments and contract non-renewals. Concerns have arisen about new hires in areas such as administration, client facilitation and HR not meeting basic requirements; positions not being advertised, and individuals being confirmed in roles without interviews or before completing probation.

CLA's CEO has not responded to questions from The Gleaner submitted on July 11, regarding the committee's disbandment, its connection to the rejected applicant, and plans for re-establishment. Three subsequent requests for answers, including one made last Friday, have not been acknowledged.

The CLA's board, chaired by Christopher McPherson, falls under the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, led by Senator Aubyn Hill.  

The ministry said on July 26 that it “has not received and is not aware of any allegedly bad human resources practices and victimisation” at the CLA. It said “not applicable” when asked whether it was aware of the committee's removal. 

Some HR issues at the CLA predate Blake's tenure, which began in August 2023. 

A 2022 internal survey revealed that most of the then 60 employees believed the CLA could improve as an employer by enhancing fairness and transparency, eliminating favouritism and nepotism and ensuring promotions and recognitions are based on merit, and improving communication and work culture.

- Jovan Johnson

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