BASSETERRE – The St Kitts-Nevis government says it is taking the steps required to create a sustainable medicinal cannabis industry as the twin island Federation moves to reduce its dependency on the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, whose administration came to office following the general elections in August, told the St Kitts-Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) that there is much work to be done because as it stands now, the Federation is well behind Caribbean countries on the matter of establishing a cannabis industry.
“Antigua is ahead, St Vincent is ahead, Jamaica is ahead, and we know that people travel to these countries because they would have an industry that is well-controlled, well-monitored and so forth that allows for the use of marijuana. And so, we will be on that path, and we will see a lot of action in that area within the first year,” Prime Minister Drew said.
“We have a Marijuana Commission in place and that Commission would start functioning in earnest to get us there. We will then move to expunge the records of those who have criminal records for possession of marijuana. We think that that should not be used as a means to limit people’s advancement in their own lives and so we will put the necessary legislation in place to get us there.”
He said that his new administration will ensure that it is the citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis who shall benefit first and foremost from the establishment of the cannabis industry.
“At this point in time, we are not looking at any outside people necessarily coming in and dominating this industry. This industry is for our people to develop. We will not make that mistake, and therefore we will, of course, meet those who are involved in this industry, and we will work out ways of how we can make sure that they are a part of the industry,” Prime Minister Drew said.
“I would say at this time, the goal is and what we will do is to make sure that the local growers are protected [and] our people are protected within that industry.” (CMC)