Marijuana Business Magazine - May-June 2018

O f all the international medical marijuana markets already online, Jamaica could be the second-most attractive to U.S. entrepreneurs, behind only Canada.There are several business license categories, no license caps and rules that promote patient access. Jamaica’s medical marijuana law allows both citizens with physician recommen- dations and tourists with such recommendations from their home countries to buy medical cannabis. Businesses that apply for a license must establish their company’s “substantial” ownership and control (more than 50%) by a person considered “ordinarily resident” in Jamaica – someone who has lived in Jamaica for three consecutive years immedi- ately preceding the date of the application and is at least 18 years old. Here’s what you need to know about the licensing situation: • There are no license caps. • There are five types of licenses – cultivation, transport, processing, retail and research and development. • There are also cultivation and processing licenses related to scientific research. • Applicants may apply for more than one type of license. • The application process involves an application review and a premises review. If all requirements are met, a license may be granted. Furthermore, there are three tiers of cultivation licenses: Tier 1: up to 1 acre; Tier 2: 1-5 acres; and Tier 3: more than 5 acres. Also, two tiers of processing licenses are available – Tier 1: space up to 200 square meters; and Tier 2: more than 200 square meters. Several American companies have a presence in Jamaica, including Colorado-based Organa Brands, which provides vape pens, edibles and other infused goods and manufactures and sells products in Jamaica. Others include California-based Steep Hill Labs; Medically Correct, a Colorado-based infused product maker; and BioTrack- THC, a Florida-based seed-to-sale tracking company. JAMAICA GOING GL BAL 68 • Marijuana Business Magazine • May-June 2018 Industry: Medical Marijuana A Jamaica