El IDPC, TNI y el ICCR analizan las recomendaciones a la luz del contexto histórico e implicaciones para los países del Caribe. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

By Vicki J. Hanson, Pien Metaal and Dania Putri

Following its first-ever critical review of cannabis, in January 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a collection of formal recommendations to reschedule cannabis and cannabis-related substances. 53 member states of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), two of which are Caribbean states, are set to vote on these recommendations in December 2020.

Among the WHO’s recommendations, two in particular appear to be the most urgent and relevant for Caribbean countries: namely recommendation 5.1 (concerning the acknowledgment of cannabis’ medicinal usefulness) and recommendation 5.4 (concerning the need to remove the term ‘extracts and tinctures of cannabis’ from the 1961 Convention). Supporting these two recommendations presents an opportunity for Caribbean governments and civil society to decolonise drug control approaches in the region, as well as to strengthen the international legal basis for emerging medicinal cannabis programmes in several Caribbean countries. Also, it provides the historical opportunity to gain global recognition for two deeply rooted and unique traditions: the use of cannabis as sacrament in religious Rastafarian practise, and its use as traditional medicine, particularly but not exclusively by the Maroon community.

In this regard, the recommended principle ‘asks’ for Caribbean advocates and policy makers are to:

Support the most urgent recommendations 5.1 and 5.4.

Actively engage with CND members, in particular Jamaica, the only English-speaking Caribbean member of CND, emphasising the urgent nature of recommendations 5.1 and 5.4.

Actively engage in relevant meetings and processes at the CND level, as well as emphasising the need for further follow-ups to the critical review.

Actively engage and encourage support from other Caribbean governments and other key stakeholders such as CARICOM and OECS, as well relevant civil society organisations, experts, and affected communities.

Recomendaciones para la re-clasificación del cannabis y su relevancia para el Caribe

El ICCR ofrece impresiones perspicaces sobre el desarrollo, impacto y limitaciones de las reformas al mercado del cannabis en Jamaica. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

By Axel Klein & Vicki J. Hanson / Interdisciplinary Centre for Cannabis Research

In 2015 Jamaica decriminalised the possession of two ounces of cannabis and the cultivation of five plants per household for personaluse, and allowed licensed cultivation and trade for medical and religious uses ...

The Dangerous Drug Act Amendment (DDAA) has dramatically changed some aspects of law enforcement and eased the tensions between the community and the police. Cannabis p>mers, particularly young men, are no longer subject to police harassment.

A number of cannabis dispensaries and herb houses have built up thriving businesses, but small farmers are struggling to reap economic benefits from the new opportunities in this emerging industry. The growth of integrated seed to sale businesses will preclude the opportunities for small farmers and processors and should be reviewed.

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has increased the speed at which licenses are being awarded,improved communications with applicants and willingly waives or defers fees for small farmers. But the agency by itself cannot overcome structural problems impeding small farmers such as landlessness, lack of capital and the requirements of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). The alternative development programme has stalled and needs to be better designed for purpose, funded and supported if obstacles faced by poor farmers are to be overcome.

Sistema de licencias para el mercado de la "ganja" en Jamaica: Lecciones aprendidas y desarrollo de estándares

Vicki Hanson is a member of the Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT), and a Committee Member of Ganja (Future) Growers & Producers Association. Vicki is the Secretary of the St. Catherine Ganja Growers and Producers Association. Vicki Hanson is also a PhD Candidate in Public Policy at the Department of Government, University of the West Indies (Mona). Her research work is aimed at exploring the public policy issues to be resolved in establishing a legally regulated cannabis (ganja) industry in the Caribbean, using Jamaica as the case study.

Vicki Hanson es miembro del Grupo de Trabajo de Investigación Comercial y Medicinal del Cannabis (CCMRT), y miembro del Comité de la Asociación de Cultivadores y Productores de Ganja (Futura). Vicki es la secretaria de la Asociación de Cultivadores y Productores de Ganja de Santa Catalina. Vicki Hanson es también candidata al doctorado en políticas públicas en el Departamento de Gobierno de la Universidad de las Indias Occidentales (Mona). Su trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo explorar las cuestiones de política pública que deben resolverse en el establecimiento de una industria de cannabis (ganja) legalmente regulada en el Caribe, utilizando Jamaica como estudio de caso.

Vicki Hanson est membre du Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT), et membre du comité de la Ganja (Future) Growers & Producers Association. Vicki est secrétaire de la St. Catherine Ganja Growers and Producers Association. Vicki Hanson est également candidate au doctorat en politique publique au département du gouvernement de l'Université des Antilles (Mona). Son travail de recherche vise à explorer les questions de politique publique à résoudre pour établir une industrie du cannabis (ganja) légalement réglementée dans les Caraïbes, en utilisant la Jamaïque comme étude de cas.

Vicki Hanson

Miembra del Consejo de Administración - Vicepresidenta

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Recomendaciones para la re-clasificación del cannabis y su relevancia para el Caribe

Sistema de licencias para el mercado de la "ganja" en Jamaica: Lecciones aprendidas y desarrollo de estándares