Jamaica: Legal Cannabis Industry Hits J$10 Billion Despite Hurricane Melissa

As of April 2026, Jamaica’s legal cannabis industry is valued at US$63 million (J$10 billion), according to the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA). That’s a 63% jump from the US$38.9 million recorded in 2024.

CLA chief executive Farrah Blake told the Jamaica Gleaner that total production of legal ganja and its by-products (buds, oil, kief, and hash) reached 13,136 kilograms in 2025, up 44% from the 7,355 kilograms produced in 2024. Land under licensed cultivation rose 8.5%, from 14.2 hectares to 15.4 hectares.

The numbers are striking given the damage Hurricane Melissa dealt to the sector. Balram “Bali” Vaswani, head of the Kaya Group, said production would have been up 55% if not for the storm, which destroyed six greenhouses. Kaya preserved its younger plants and genetic stock, and seven greenhouses have already been rebuilt. The company posted J$550 million in sales for 2025, covering ganja, mushrooms, and its pizza operations.

For the first time, Jamaica completed four exports of value-added cannabis products in 2025 (oils, balms, and lotions) after zero export shipments the year before. Minister of State Delano Seiveright said the government’s policy aims to “provide Jamaicans with alternative and sustainable avenues for enterprise.”

What This Means

If you’re visiting Jamaica this year, the numbers behind the scenes translate to a more mature market at licensed herb houses. The CLA’s recent special permit programmes are designed to bring traditional growers into the legal fold, which should widen the product range and lower prices at retail over time. With exports now happening, and the CLA building out its regulatory track record, Jamaica is positioning itself not just as the Caribbean’s most iconic cannabis destination, but as a legitimate medicinal exporter. Watch for CLA production data later this year to see whether the post-Melissa rebound holds.