Caribbean cannabis news
Legislative changes, dispensary openings, enforcement updates, and industry developments across the Caribbean.
Bermuda: New Security Minister Silent on Cannabis in Maiden Speech
Two weeks after naming cannabis reform an immediate priority, Bermuda's Ryan Robinson Perinchief delivered a maiden Senate speech that did not mention it.
Jamaica: CLA opens new headquarters, issues 200th license
The Cannabis Licensing Authority moved into a permanent home on 17 July and marked the milestone with its 200th license, awarded to a Montego Bay herb house.
St. Kitts brings in SVG's Saboto Caesar to build cannabis banking
SKN's Medicinal Cannabis Authority hired former SVG Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar to build a banking framework. He arrives in Basseterre on 19 July.
Puerto Rico: DEA Rescheduling Hearing Record Closed as Scheduled
Chief ALJ Julius closed the DEA marijuana rescheduling hearing record on 15 July 2026. Puerto Rico's dispensaries wait on his recommended decision.
Jamaica: Cannabis Road Tour Launches in St. Elizabeth
State Minister Delano Seiveright launched a CLA road tour at Newell High School in St. Elizabeth, framing the small-permit rollout as people-friendly.
Jamaica: Negril Advances Zanzibar Twinning, Puts Ganja Farming on the Table
The mayor of Savanna-la-Mar says paperwork for a Negril-Zanzibar twinning is with lawyers, with cannabis named among the farming subsectors for exchange.
Cayman Islands: Bar Association Urges Public Input on Cannabis Reform
The Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners' Association wants Caymanians to comment on the Law Reform Commission's cannabis paper before the September 1 deadline.
Puerto Rico: DEA Rescheduling Hearing Wraps This Week
The DEA's rescheduling hearing closes by 15 July, with Puerto Rico's dispensaries watching whether Schedule III expands beyond the partial April order.
Jamaica: Two Ex-CLA Officers Face Integrity Commission Charges
Two former Cannabis Licensing Authority officers will be charged under the Integrity Commission Act for failing to file 2023 statutory declarations.
Jamaica: GGPAJ Community Permit Push Reaches Clarendon Growers
The Ganja Growers and Producers Association took the CLA's zero-fee community permit pitch to small farmers in May Pen, Clarendon, in July 2026.
Barbados: High Court Rejects Rastafari Challenge to Sacramental Cannabis Act
Justice Michelle Weekes dismissed Ras Simba Rock's constitutional challenge to the Sacramental Cannabis Act on 4 July 2026. An appeal is expected within 28 days.
Cayman Islands: 69-Page Cannabis Reform Paper Out for Public Comment
The Law Reform Commission published its long-awaited cannabis discussion paper on 2 July, opening a public consultation that closes 1 September.
Caribbean: FDA Calls Cannabis Safer Than Alcohol as DEA Hearing Opens
At the DEA's opening rescheduling hearing on 29 June, the FDA testified that cannabis carries lower day-to-day harms than alcohol and opioids.
Puerto Rico: DEA Hearing Day 2 Puts FDA Marijuana Analysis Under Fire
Day two of the DEA rescheduling hearing turned on a 2023 FDA methodology change. What it means for Puerto Rico's 325 licensed dispensaries.
Puerto Rico: DEA Backs Medical Benefits Ahead of June 29 Hearing
DEA's pre-hearing filing names a Dartmouth pain physician and an FDA official to defend cannabis rescheduling at Monday's hearing, with Puerto Rico watching.
Jamaica: JACANA Folds Medical Cannabis Into Caribbean Wellness Platform Launch
JACANA's new four-pillar Caribbean Wellness Platform puts medical cannabis alongside botanicals, farm retreats, and apothecary retail.
Jamaica: Western Parishes Hold 31% of Seizures, Youth Referrals Climb
Western Jamaica accounted for 31% of national ganja seizures in 2026 so far, and the NCDA says cannabis is driving more than half of minor referrals.
Antigua: Cannabis Authority Distances Pares Bust From Rastafari Sacramental Licensees
Antigua's Medicinal Cannabis Authority confirms the Pares cultivation site held no Sacramental Authorization or Medicinal Cannabis Licence.
Puerto Rico: DEA Names Only Reform Opponents for June 29 Hearing
The DEA picked only rescheduling opponents for its June 29 hearing, leaving Puerto Rico's 325 licensed dispensaries waiting on a broader Schedule III move.
St. Kitts: Cannabis Authority Launches Responsible Use Campaign on ZIZ Radio
On 10 June 2026 the SKN Medicinal Cannabis Authority opened a four-pillar national education campaign, the first sustained public push since the regulator's 2025 launch.
Jamaica: Hundreds of Westmoreland Ganja Farmers Register Under New CLA Permits
Hundreds of Westmoreland ganja farmers registered in Orange Hill, the first mass sign-up reported under Jamaica's new zero-fee CLA community permit.
Bahamas: Banks Warn Cannabis Sector Will Hit US Correspondent Wall
On 4 June 2026 the Clearing Banks Association warned Bahamian banks cannot service cannabis firms under existing US correspondent-banking rules.
Antigua: Cannabis Authority Briefs 60 Police Recruits on Legal vs. Illegal Cannabis
The Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority trained nearly 60 police recruits in May 2026 on the legal split between licit and illicit cannabis.
Antigua: MCA Cuts Licence Fees 80% for Citizen-Owned Cultivation Groups
The Medicinal Cannabis Authority's new Collaborative Grow Licence gives an 80% discount and a five-year term to companies owned by five or more Antiguan and Barbudan citizens.
Jamaica: Kaya Becomes First Major Chain to Launch Cannabis Delivery
Kaya Herb House, Jamaica's pioneering cannabis dispensary chain, is rolling out a delivery service after the CLA's April rule change opened the door.
St. Vincent: MCA Calls Traditional Cultivators to Georgetown Meeting
The Medicinal Cannabis Authority is hosting a consultation with traditional cultivators in Georgetown on 22 May 2026, focused on industry updates and grower-level challenges.
Bermuda: Weeks Outlines Medical-Only Cannabis Framework
Bermuda's Minister of National Security told the House of Assembly the government will pursue a prescription-based medical cannabis pathway.
Bahamas: Cannabis Authority's Licensing Platform Is Built, Portal Still Closed
The Bahamas Cannabis Authority says its seed-to-sale licensing platform is finished, with applications waiting on the post-election government.
Caribbean Cannabis: Schedule III Eases Banking Fears Region-Wide
The US move of medical cannabis to Schedule III is easing banking fears across the Caribbean, opening doors for licensed operators.
Puerto Rico: 325 Licensed Dispensaries Face New Reality as DEA Registration Portal Opens
The DEA portal for Schedule III cannabis registration opens April 29, directly affecting Puerto Rico's 325 licensed medical dispensaries.
Jamaica: Legal Cannabis Industry Hits J$10 Billion Despite Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica's CLA reports the legal cannabis sector grew 63% in 2025 to US$63M, with four exports and a post-hurricane rebound underway.
Jamaica: Ganja Growers Eye Opportunities After US Cannabis Rescheduling
Jamaican cannabis growers and officials react to the US DOJ's Schedule III move, weighing export potential against global competition.
Saint Lucia: RSA Selects GrowerIQ for National Cannabis Traceability
Saint Lucia picks GrowerIQ to build its seed-to-sale cannabis tracking platform, becoming the second Caribbean nation to adopt the system.
Barbados: BMCLA Presses Banks After US Cannabis Rescheduling
Barbados's cannabis regulator urges commercial banks to serve the industry after the US moved medical marijuana to Schedule III.
Antigua: 3rd Annual Cannabis Festival Underway Through April 20
Antigua and Barbuda's cabinet-endorsed ABC Festival 2026 runs April 17-20, blending cannabis education, trade, and wellness tourism.
Jamaica: CLA Launches Zero-Fee Permits for Small Cannabis Farmers
Jamaica's Cannabis Licensing Authority introduces two new special permit programmes with no application fees, opening the legal market to traditional ganja growers.
Kaya Herb House Posts J$550M in Sales for 2025
Jamaica's pioneering cannabis dispensary chain reports J$550 million in revenue from ganja, mushrooms, and pizza across its locations.
Grenada Passes Landmark Cannabis Decriminalization Law
Grenada's Parliament approves the Drug Abuse Amendment Act 2026, decriminalizing up to 56 grams of cannabis for adults 21 and older.
USVI Cannabis Dispensaries Begin Opening Phase in 2026
The U.S. Virgin Islands' first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries enter the opening phase across St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
Puerto Rico Medical Cannabis Market Tops 325 Licensed Dispensaries
Puerto Rico has 325 licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, per the Department of Health registry.
Cayman Islands Voters Approve Cannabis Decriminalization Referendum
55% of Cayman Islands voters back decriminalizing consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis in the 2025 referendum.
St. Kitts & Nevis Launches Medicinal Cannabis Authority
The government of St. Kitts and Nevis officially launches the Medicinal Cannabis Authority in April 2025, opening permit and licence applications.
Saint Lucia Drafts Comprehensive Cannabis and Hemp Bill
Saint Lucia releases a draft cannabis law that would regulate both marijuana and industrial hemp farming, processing, and sales.
Bahamas Introduces Comprehensive Cannabis Bill
The Bahamas government unveils the Cannabis Bill 2024, proposing medical legalization, religious use protections, and decriminalization of 30 grams.
Caribbean cannabis news, every week
New dispensaries, law changes, enforcement shifts — summarized so you don't have to scan a dozen local papers.
Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
Thanks. You're on the list. Check your inbox.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a moment.