PHOTO: RUDRANATH FRASER Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange (centre), and Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, is greeted by CEO of JACANA, Alexandra Chong, during an event at Island Village in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Thursday, April 20, in recognition of International Cannabis Day.

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce continues to advocate for the inclusion of more Jamaican farmers in the cultivation of ganja as part of efforts to develop the sector and tap into its potential economic benefits.

Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce  has said that the Government’s Alternative Development Programme (ADP) is a key initiative for community groups and small-scale growers to gain access to legal channels in the industry.

“The ADP is a community-centred approach in which participating communities will be allowed to cultivate up to 10 acres of land [and] will be required to sell all of their outputs from the programme to a licensed downstream buyer or authorised permit holders of the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA),” Dr. Dunn explained.

He was addressing an event hosted by JACANA, at Island Village in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Thursday, April 20, in recognition of International Cannabis Day.