St Vincent passes medicinal marijuana bill
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has made history as the first member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to decriminalize marijuana for medical purposes and scientific research.
According to a release yesterday from the OECS, speaking from SVG, Minister for Agriculture, Saboto Caesar said the passing of the Bill in Parliament on the 11th December signified the Caribbean island was now positioned to become a globally leading medicinal cannabis hub not only in terms of high quality production but research.
“The planning of this innovative industry has been carefully conducted over a long period of time in close consultation with the agricultural sector and many different stakeholders to reach the level of maturity we see today.
“There is broad recognition and buy-in of the economic benefits this tightly controlled and regulated industry is expected to bring in terms of direct employment, the creation of support industries and foreign investment.
“SVG is unique in that our growing conditions are suited to producing the highest quality grade medicinal cannabis available on the global market and this is recognized with the increase in investor sentiment and inquiries we are receiving both regionally and abroad " said Caesar, according to the OECS release. OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules congratulated OECS Chairman and SVG Ralph Gonsalves and Caesar on their “bold leadership” in the creation of a modern medicinal cannabis industry framework. “On behalf of the OECS Commission I would like to particularly recognize the Hon. Sabato Caesar as the youngest parliamentary representative at the age of 37 for his tireless dedication to unlocking economic opportunities through agriculture for the OECS region – the agri shipping initiative being another successful programme" said Dr. Jules.