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The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis announced the formation of a group of experts to provide technical support to further advance the work towards the decriminalization of cannabis (like how marijuana DC business has grown in light of the changing laws in the States) and the establishment of a marijuana industry in the Federation.

“The establishment of a modern industry requires a lot of work and preparation and especially one which has to date been part and parcel of deeply held ideas regarding its use, its legitimacy, and even its legality a lot of work still remains to be done,” said Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris during Tuesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

The broad-based Cannabis Core Committee of experts, to be chaired by Dr. Wycliffe Baird, will focus on ensuring that the St. Kitts and Nevis cannabis legislation is the most modern and progressive in the region and advise on the necessary systems to make the industry a real and substantial one that contributes to the health and wellness of the people, creates jobs and helps generate income, according to the Office of the Prime Minister. The legalization of cannabis has led to a boom in the industry and in innovation. With the development of new ways to consume cannabis, such as using a dry herb vaporizer, there are more and more business opportunities which could benefit the local community.

Dr. Baird “has been involved with the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with their cannabis legislation and industry and he has done work in Africa in relation to this, so he comes to the committee already prepared and knowledgeable with regard to this particular activity,” the prime minister said.

Members of the Cannabis Core Committee are drawn from groups such as the Christian Council, the Rastafarian community, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the youth and the Office of the Attorney General, and includes a number of cannabis experts such as Dr. Andre Gordon, Ms. Lisa Grant, Dr. Annabelle Manalo and Mr. Marcus Ramkissoon.

Prime Minister Harris said the purpose is to bring together people “with independent minds and giving them the challenge and opportunity to be of national service and to help the country

Members of the Cannabis Core Committee held their first meeting Tuesday at the National ICT Center with Prime Minister Harris and the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Andrew Skerritt in attendance.

Other members of the committee are Ras Eli X Freeman; Mr. Melvin Marcelo Agard; Dwayne Hendrickson, CARICOM Youth Ambassador; Ms. Kara Daly, representing the Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Cannon Dwane Cassius, representative of the St. Kitts Christian Council; Senior Crown Counsel Ms. Tashna Powell, representing the Office of the Attorney General; Ms. Allison Isaac, Parliamentary Counsel, Office of the Attorney General and Ras Iroy – Chairman of the Organization of the Rastafarian.