Jamaica’s Cannabis Economy — Issue 01 source record

Public institutional records and attributed research

The 2015 reform opened a regulated route for medical and scientific enterprise. Building durable businesses—and meaningful participation for small growers—requires more than the plant’s international reputation.

Compiled 14 November 2026

Key extracts & findings

SOURCE 1

Cannabis Licensing Authority — About the Authority

Source extract: “Its primary mandate is to regulate Jamaica's legal cannabis and hemp industry, focusing on medical, therapeutic, and scientific applications.” Public record: https://cla.gov.jm/page/about-authority

SOURCE 2

Jamaica Information Service — Dangerous Drugs Act Facts; 2015 framework

Source extract: “Possession of 2 ounces or less of ganja is no longer an offence for which one can be arrested, charged and tried in court” Public record: https://jis.gov.jm/features/dangerous-drugs-act-facts/

SOURCE 3

JIS — Small farmers policy statement, 17 April 2015

Source extract: “We don’t want a design, which is going to be prohibitive in terms of its requirements that would exclude especially small farmers from participating.” Public record: https://jis.gov.jm/small-farmers-included-medical-marijuana-industry-senator-golding/

SOURCE 4

WHO — Cannabis information; contains historical material, not a prescribing guideline

Source extract: “The major psychoactive constituent in cannabis is ∆-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).” Public record: https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis

SOURCE 5

Davenport & Pardo — Drug-policy study abstract, November 2016

Source extract: “To access medical cannabis under the DDA residents must receive authorization from a certified health professional in Jamaica; tourists may self-declare their medical need” Public record: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27596698/

Short source extracts retain third-party ownership. Institutional descriptions and dated announcements are not independent outcome evaluations. Some restricted pages were inspected through indexed text; no interviews or field visits are claimed.