The Big Issues

Medicinal Marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda: What's the Potential?

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A company called GROW Antigua has received the first license for the production of medicinal cannabis in Antigua and Barbuda. It is a collaboration between private sector investors, the government of Antigua and Barbuda, and Rastafarians. On this episode, we talked about the economic potential that the industry could hold for Antigua and Barbuda. 

Note: Having a small amount of marijuana for personal use was decriminalized in 2018. Since then, progress has been made in allowing for a regulated, legal, medicinal cannabis industry. 

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

  1. King Frank I, born Franklin Francis, is a member of the Rastafari faith and and elder in the Nyabingi House of Big Creek. He had been an advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana which occurred in 2018. He is an advocate for the development of local cannabis industries.
  2. Richard Crawford, President of the Ganja Growers and Producers Association of Jamaica. He is also known as “Dicky” Crawford.
  3. Andrew Moody-Stuart, is a director of the company, GROW Antigua, which was the first to be given a license by the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (Antigua and Barbuda) for the production of cannabis.
  4. Professor Wayne McLoughlin currently serves as the co-chair of the UWI Medicinal Cannabis Research Group. He is also a Board Director of Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) in Jamaica. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona and is a Professor of Molecular Biology. He is currently the Director of Caribbean Genetics and Caribbean Toxicology at The UWI, Mona, both of which are commercial laboratories. Professor McLaughlin's current research involves the genetics of Jamaican cannabis plants   and developing standards for medicinal cannabis.


    5. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on June 20th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

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    The Big IssuesBy The Big Issues Production Team