KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health has sought to clarify what they describe as an “apparent misunderstanding” within the public domain regarding the legal requirements for prescribing ganja for medical or therapeutic purposes.  

According to the health ministry, The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2015 provides, among other things, for the possession of ganja for medical or therapeutic purposes as prescribed or recommended in writing by a registered medical practitioner or other health practitioner approved by the health minister.  

And as such, the ministry explained that there is no requirement under the law requiring medical practitioners to undertake any training and or certification in order to prescribe ganja for medical or therapeutic purposes.  

The only requirements are (i) in the case of a medical practitioner, that practitioner is registered, meaning registered with the Medical Council in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Act and (ii) in the case of other health practitioners, that such health practitioners are approved by the minister of health to prescribe ganja.

The ministry further pointed out that it is of the view that the issue of training on the subject matter should be guided by the Medical Council of Jamaica through its Continuing Medical Education and noted that it is focusing on developing the relevant policy guidelines in relation to the subject matter and the regulations which it is mandated to prescribe under the Act.

“In accordance with the policy of the Government of Jamaica the ministry is committed to stakeholder consultations in respect of such guidelines and regulations,” the ministry stated.