Wiisag Corporation, a Canadian indigenous integrated cannabis company, has signed an agreement to partner with the Westmoreland Hemp and Ganga Farmers Association (WHGFA) to grow two crops of medical marijuana on a 10-acre property in that parish.

Based on the agreement, which was signed last month in Negril, Wiisag Corporation will provide funding and management services to WHGFA under a pilot project set to begin in the second quarter of 2019.

“Both parties seek to forge a strategic partnership to grow and develop medical marijuana products,” WHGFA Chairman Delroy Johnson, who chaired the signing, said.

“Our commitment is to work with Wiisag and benefit from their vision to create a competitive global company with branded products grown and developed by indigenous farmers and entrepreneurs. We have so much talent and know-how here. We’ve looked at many proposals over the past two years from all sorts of companies but Wiisag’s approach, team, and dedication to indigenous values and principles won the day,” he continued.

After the signing, executives from Wiisag travelled to Kingston to have discussions with Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw at the ministry and to seek support for the pilot project, a release from Wiisag explained.

Executive chairman of Wiisag, Jake Linklater, while noting that the “mythical” Jamaican cannabis is known worldwide for its incredible history of cultural impact and usage, stated: “It’s only natural that we would partner with Jamaicans first as we expand Wiisag’s indigenous community globally. We are honoured to have been selected by WHGFA and are committed to execute this important opportunity.”

The agreement has gained the endorsement of leading ganja activist Ras Iyah V, a board member of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, Jamaica’s regulatory body for the marijuana and hemp industry. Ras Iyah V is also the lead organiser of the annual Rastafari Roots Fest and Ganjamaica Cup in Negril.

“We want to see agreements like these because we believe the small farmers must have a stake in this emerging new industry,” stated Ras Iyah V, who is a world-renowned activist on the science of growing marijuana and the rights of Rastafarians.

Following his pronouncements, Ras Iyah V travelled to Ottawa, Canada, to attend the National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference from February 19-21.

Linklater, a native Canadian, shared his excitement to be working in Jamaica and fulfilling his company’s mandate to work with indigenous peoples.

“…The issues, struggles, and new optimism for cannabis as a means that we can create an economic engine for indigenous people were all very familiar. Wiisag is ready to work with all First Nations and indigenous groups who share our vision,” he said.

Wiisag is a First Nations company that forms strategic partnerships with indigenous communities, where they fund, manage and operate all activities associated with cannabis cultivation, product research and development, and accessing global markets to secure the highest value for cannabis products.