KAYA Farms, home to Jamaica’s first legal medical cannabis dispensary, will today celebrate its grand opening at Drax Hall, St Ann with an Official ribbon-cutting and concert featuring some of Jamaica’s favourite reggae artistes.

Kaya Farms and sister companies, Kaya Herbhouse, Kaya Spa, Kaya Cafe and Kaya Tours offer a variety of services for Jamaicans and tourists, including the sale of marijuana for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The grand opening of Kaya, said the owners, is considered to be a momentous occasion for Jamaica and the economy.

“It has been an arduous journey for all involved in making this dream a reality. We cannot forget the Indians who brought the plant, the Rastafarians that fought to advocate it, University of Technology, Government officials on both sides and corporate Jamaica that have all helped to steer this through the political landscape. It is an exciting step for me and the country as we move forward to build an industry which I am sure that we be side by side the Canadians, British and the United States. I’m sure as Jamaican farmers we can compete internationally as ganja becomes a commodity,” said chairman and chief ganja officer, Balram Vaswani.

Along with the official ribbon cutting, the grand opening will include a tour of the facility, farm and other features of the property. Festivities will commence with a free concert featuring Toots & The Maytals, Ky-mani Marley, Keznamdi, Jah 9 and other artists.

“We remain in compliance with the rules enacted by the CLA and persons will be able to legally purchase marijuana for medicinal purposes while also being able to experience the Kaya Herbhouse and Kaya Café,” Vaswani added.

Regulations from the Cannabis Licensing Authority allow for the sale and use of marijuana in limited quantities and for specific reasons, namely, in accordance with the written recommendation or prescription of a registered medical practitioner, for consumption on the premises or for the provision of therapeutic services utilising ganja.

Kaya said its goal is to make Jamaica the flagship of the global wellness tourism industry and become the new symbol of the island’s roots and lifestyle.