Dear Editor,

The Ganja Growers and Producers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ) is astonished by news that the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) plans not to renew the contract of a senior attorney who has been employed to the regulatory authority since its inception.

The proposed action is arbitrary and totally unjustified. Attorney Ms Annette Henry reported an internal issue of great importance to the board some five months ago and the board has totally neglected to deal with her report, which has grave implications for the satisfactory conduct of the board, its employees, and the wider industry.

The GGPAJ takes this matter very seriously and is recommending that it be immediately discussed and resolved as a matter of law, justice and expected good business practice.

We have been aware of this issue for some time but certainly would not expect this type of outcome from an organisation as the CLA, which has a duty to be transparent, abide by the law, and afford equal rights and justice to all in this industry.

Jamaica has struggled through the process of decriminalising ganja in 2015. We are now at a point where the sacrifices made have put us in a position to take advantage of the opportunities that exist, but this will only be successful if we do the right things at the right time for the good of the industry.

We specifically ask ministers Shaw, Hutchinson, Green, Henry, Chuck, Grange and others related to the industry to ensure that this issue is settled in our best interests.

Richard Crawford

President GGPAJ

richard.dickie.crawford@gmail.com