MONTEGO BAY, St James — Former television personality Montel Williams has categorised operators in the medical cannabis industry who refuse to pump some of their gains into advancing research on the plant, as drug traffickers in the global black market.

“As we make more and more money, and as we get involved in this business, if you don’t set aside some of your money for testing and for research, then I will tell you, you are as crooked and as criminal as anybody who has been involved in an [illegal] drug business. How many houses do we need? How many cars do you need?” Williams, who is a radio talk-show host and actor, said.

“So the science needs to be done. We need to continue to do science and we need to do it as vigorously as we possibly can,” he continued.

The American also charged individuals in the medical cannabis sector to remember to treat the plant as sacred.

“It’s time for us to remember it’s a healing plant; it’s a blessed plant; it’s a sacred plant, let’s treat it that way. Let’s treat this industry that way so that people recognise that you can do good things and still make money,“ Williams urged.

He was speaking yesterday on the opening day of the 2018 CanEx Jamaica — Business Conference & Expo at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.

In bringing welcome, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Homer Davis warned investors in the cannabis trade that they must ensure that they do not breach Jamaica’s business codes.

“I caution, however, that these investments must be orderly and must conform to the laws of our land. I am sure the cannabis industry is a sustainable one and one that can provide well-paying job opportunities for our citizens, our scientists and certainly those who are involved at other levels of the trade,” he said.

The conference, which will run until September 30, has attracted a number of foreign stakeholders.

Yesterday, former Mexican President Vicente Fox and his wife Marta, arrived in Montego Bay. He is slated to deliver a keynote speech at the conference today.

He was met on arrival by senior advisor in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright; CanEx founder and organiser, Douglas Gordon; and CEO of Zimmer & Co T’Shura Gibbs.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw is also scheduled to address the conference today.

Held for the first time in 2016, CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo brings together top cannabis industry experts from the United States, Canada, South and Central America, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean.