A major step has been taken towards having a medical marijuana industry in Barbados with the piloting of the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill 2019 in the House of Assembly yesterday.
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir piloted the much-touted legislation in a comprehensive presentation during the opening session of the House.
Up front he dismissed fears surrounding the legalising of marijuana by explaining the Bill was not intended to decriminalise cannabis that is used for recreational purposes, but to make way for Barbados to secure a stake in the global medicinal cannabis business that is projected to reach US$100 billion in trade in six years.
The minister said the move to develop a medical marijuana industry represented a paradigm change in the process of wealth accumulation by Barbadians, since the industry provided for nationals to have a major stake in the business. (GC)
Subscribe now to our eNATION edition for the full story.
For the latest stories and breaking news updates download the Nationnews apps for iOS and Android.