News

Caribbean cannabis news

Legislative changes, dispensary openings, enforcement updates, and industry developments across the Caribbean.

Legislation

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.

Bermuda flag Bermuda
Industry

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Industry

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.

St. Kitts & Nevis flag St. Kitts & Nevis
Industry

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.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Industry

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 flag Jamaica
Tourism

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Legislation

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.

Cayman Islands flag Cayman Islands
Industry

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.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Enforcement

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 flag Jamaica
Industry

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Legislation

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.

Barbados flag Barbados
Legislation

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.

Cayman Islands flag Cayman Islands
Industry

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 flag Puerto Rico Barbados flag Barbados St. Vincent & the Grenadines flag St. Vincent & the Grenadines Saint Lucia flag Saint Lucia Bermuda flag Bermuda
Industry

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 flag Puerto Rico
Industry

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.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Industry

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 flag Jamaica
Enforcement

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Enforcement

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.

Antigua & Barbuda flag Antigua & Barbuda
Industry

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.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Industry

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.

St. Kitts & Nevis flag St. Kitts & Nevis
Industry

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Industry

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.

Bahamas flag Bahamas
Enforcement

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 & Barbuda flag Antigua & Barbuda
Industry

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.

Antigua & Barbuda flag Antigua & Barbuda
Dispensary

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Industry

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.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines flag St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Legislation

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.

Bermuda flag Bermuda
Legislation

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.

Bahamas flag Bahamas
Industry

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.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines flag St. Vincent & the Grenadines Barbados flag Barbados Jamaica flag Jamaica Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico Saint Lucia flag Saint Lucia
Industry

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.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Industry

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 flag Jamaica
IndustryLegislation

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Industry

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.

Saint Lucia flag Saint Lucia
Industry

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.

Barbados flag Barbados
Tourism

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.

Antigua & Barbuda flag Antigua & Barbuda
Legislation

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
IndustryDispensary

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.

Jamaica flag Jamaica
Legislation

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.

Grenada flag Grenada
DispensaryLegislation

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.

U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands
DispensaryIndustry

Puerto Rico Medical Cannabis Market Tops 325 Licensed Dispensaries

Puerto Rico has 325 licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, per the Department of Health registry.

Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico
Legislation

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.

Cayman Islands flag Cayman Islands
LegislationIndustry

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.

St. Kitts & Nevis flag St. Kitts & Nevis
LegislationIndustry

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.

Saint Lucia flag Saint Lucia
Legislation

Bahamas Introduces Comprehensive Cannabis Bill

The Bahamas government unveils the Cannabis Bill 2024, proposing medical legalization, religious use protections, and decriminalization of 30 grams.

Bahamas flag Bahamas
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