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<p>The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has issued 44 ganja licences and 288 conditional approvals since its establishment in 2015.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Cannabis-License-Jamaica-CLA-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cannabis plants" class="wp-image-7581" /><figcaption>(Photo: Don Waysome)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, in making the disclosure, said that the licences granted include 21 for cultivation, 13 for retail, six for processing, three for research and development, and one for transportation.</p>
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<p>She noted that the licences at the conditional approval stage are awaiting actions from applicants.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Diane-Edwards-JAMPRO-Cannabis-License-1024x683.jpg" alt="President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, listens attentively while conversing with CanEx Founder, Douglas Gordon, following the media launch of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo on Tuesday (September 4), at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston." class="wp-image-7582" /><figcaption>President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, listens attentively while conversing with CanEx Founder, Douglas Gordon, following the media launch of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo on Tuesday (September 4), at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. (Photo: Donald DeLaHaye)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>“Some of those actions include readiness for pre-licence, site inspection requirements, and funding to satisfy infrastructure development and/or other approvals,” Ms Edwards explained.</p>
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<p>She noted that the Authority has received 658 applications from 287 applicants to date.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>  “Medical cannabis is set to be a disrupter in the consumer goods space"</p><cite>Diane Edwards, President, JAMPRO</cite></blockquote>
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<p>Ms Edwards was speaking at the media launch of the CanEx <strong>Jamaica Business </strong>Conference and Expo on Tuesday (September 4), at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.</p>
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<p>The JAMPRO President, during her address, said that Jamaica is poised to capitalise on the multibillion-dollar global medical cannabis industry.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/CanEx-Cannabis-License-Buzz-Caribbean-1024x683.jpg" alt="Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (second left) enjoys a light moment as President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, presents a package to President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Howard Mitchell,   following the media launch of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo on Tuesday (September 4) at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. Also pictured (from left) are Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Global Jamaica Sales, T’Shura Gibbs; and Founder of CanEx, Douglas Gordon." class="wp-image-7584" /><figcaption>Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (second left) enjoys a light moment as President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, presents a package to President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Howard Mitchell,   following the media launch of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo on Tuesday (September 4) at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. Also pictured (from left) are Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Global Jamaica Sales, T’Shura Gibbs; and Founder of CanEx, Douglas Gordon. (Photo: Donald DeLaHaye)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>“Medical cannabis is set to be a disrupter in the consumer goods space. More and more, we are finding CBD [Cannabidiol] infused products globally – in packaged food, beverages, beauty and personal care products and consumer health products,” she noted.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Cannabis-Bi-Products-Kaya-1024x586.jpg" alt="Bottles of hemp oil available at the Kaya Herb House in St Ann, Jamaica" class="wp-image-7588" /><figcaption>Hemp oil available at the Kaya Herb House in St Ann, Jamaica</figcaption></figure>
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<p>She said that as the industry evolves “understanding the future and placing the appropriate bets will determine the ultimate winners of the expanding and dynamic space”.</p>
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