KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ganja Growers and Producers Association of Jamaica said the recent ban on the sampling and sale of all cannabis infused edibles at entertainment events is a retrograde step and not one forthcoming with the emergence of Jamaica’s cannabis industry and the development of the human resource capabilities of the industry players.

The association along with another organisation, Scarce Commodity, in a release today, said consultation and dialogue is needed to advance the discourse towards the implementation of regulated infused cannabis edible products that meet international standards and certification.The organisations said they are cognizant of the fact that urgent action and attention must be directed to the thriving cannabis infused edible market.The safety of the consumer is paramount in order to administer the therapeutic and medical value of this preferred delivery method of ingesting cannabis orally, they added.The organisations also emphasised that an audit must be conducted into the existing modus operandi of the producers, dispensers and consumers of cannabis infused edible products, explaining that by doing so, one would be able to provide a comprehensive report of the existing framework and recommendations for standardised protocol to govern the production, distribution and sale of cannabis infused edibles.“The Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Scientific Research Council, Cannabis Licensing Authority, the University of the West Indies should all prepare a working committee that will seek to address proper guidelines governing the safe use and dosage of cannabis infused edibles, standardised quantitative testing, protocol governing the raw material used and processing methodologies, training and certification for the producers and distributors of these products,” they reasoned.In addition, the organisations noted that there is also great need for public awareness in regards to cannabis, in its entirety, to prevent reoccurrences of irresponsible usage of consuming cannabis.The negative stigma being circulated in the international press will continue to deplete the integrity and ability for Jamaica to integrate itself within the Global Cannabis Economy, they lamented.