Recent discussions in Dominica focused on the creation of a regulated, sustainable medical cannabis industry.
Dominica is an island country in the Caribbean, located within the Lesser Antilles. It belongs to the Windward Islands group. With a population of around 66,500, its economy relies heavily on agriculture — the production of bananas, coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, cut flowers, and exotic fruits.
Medical cannabis could also be a factor in the success of a country, and its health. The country decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, but hasn’t yet made it legal for medical purposes.
In 2022 the Dominican Republic will establish a National Task Force for reviewing existing laws and developing a regulatory structure to control the distribution of marijuana and cannabis byproducts.
According to last year’s Budget, for 2024/25 the government remained dedicated to the creation of comprehensive legislation that would allow for the safe and legal access to cannabis for medical and therapeutic purposes, while creating opportunities for the growers, processors and producers.
The Government of Dominica has announced its plans for the year 2019. officially launched The National Cannabis Advisory Committee held its first meeting in April. It is the Committee’s responsibility to develop a National Road Map of a local marijuana industry.
At the Symposium held by the Advisory Committee last week, stakeholders from across the country, region and the world gathered together to discuss the Framework.
Irving McIntyre, Acting Minister of Finance and Prime Minister in the interim, was one of those who attended and spoke at the symposium.
He said in his speech that “our neighbours across the Caribbean have taken decisive steps.” as reported Dominica Online. “Jamaica, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda, and others have legalized or decriminalized cannabis and established licensing regimes … the time for Dominica is now.”
In the short term, we want to create a National Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
The body would provide a long-term overview and make sure that Dominica remained a competitive, trustworthy and respected player in international cannabis markets,” stated Dr. McIntyre.