MONTEGO BAY, St James — CanEx Jamaica has confirmed that former Mexican President Vicente Fox and former television and medicinal cannabis advocate Montel Williams have agreed to deliver keynote addresses at its third annual Business Conference and Expo to be held from September 27-29, 2018, in this western Jamaica city.

More than 50 speakers and panellists will share their knowledge among the 1,500 delegates expected to attend this year’s conference, including:

• Dr Lumir Hanus, analytic chemist and leading authority in the field of cannabis research based at the University of Jerusalem;

• R James Woolsey, former CIA director;

• Wilbert “Billy” Tauzin, US Congressman from Louisiana;

• Karel Janecek, Czech billionaire and cannabis investor;

• Audley Shaw, Jamaica’s minister of industry, commerce, agriculture and fisheries;

• Chris Walsh, executive editor of Marijuana Business Daily; and

• Dr Andres Lopez, head of Colombia’s National Narcotics Agency.

Fox told officials that he is eager to impart his knowledge of the cannabis industry. “The cannabis industry offers tremendous economic, health and social benefits in Mexico as in other markets around the world. I welcome the opportunity to share, network and advocate for its continued progress at CanEx Jamaica. The island and this conference offers a powerful platform to push the medical and legal cannabis movement and that is something I fully support,” Fox is said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Williams, who will be returning to CanEx Jamaica for his second year, said he is once again elated to be there.

“I am excited to participate in CanEx Jamaica because it’s a unique opportunity to gather so many leaders from the international cannabis industry in a place that is so important to cannabis’ history,” Williams said.

The conference will feature breakout sessions covering topics such as advocacy, banking and finance, the business of cannabis, cultivation, science and medicine, and women entrepreneurship. In addition, several companies across the cannabis business, investment and media communities have committed their support for the 2018 Business Conference & Expo, including: LGC Capital, Shimadzu Scientific, Lenitiv Labs, Solace Brands, Cannaly Corporation (Colombia), Zimmer & Company, Global Canna Labs, Marijuana Business Daily, and Better21.

CanEx founder Douglas K Gordon is excited over the prospects of this year’s staging of the event.

“This year has seen tremendous movement in the cannabis industry globally, and we’re seeing a marked increase in the participation and enthusiasm in this year’s CanEx Jamaica conference. In particular, changing regulations in Jamaica will bring immense benefits to both local and international companies. We’re pleased to host our conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, to share the natural rhythm, warmth and vibrancy with everyone who joins us at CanEx Jamaica,” Gordon stated.

The CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo is a business-to-business (B2B) conference that brings together cannabis industry professionals across 20 countries in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and South and Central America to discuss the latest advances across the medicinal, health/wellness, legal, regulatory, business, and investment landscape. The event features presentations, panel discussions and exhibitions from experts, policymakers, researchers and business people, and provides a professional platform for knowledge sharing and high-level business networking.