Jamaica’s legal ganja market grows, but traditional farmers say access remains unequal

Ten years after ganja was decriminalised in Jamaica, the legal cannabis sector is generating millions, but debate is intensifying over who is benefiting from that growth. Data cited from industry regulators indicate that only a small share of licences is in the hands of traditional cultivators, fuelling concerns about fairness and access as the market expands.

Under the current framework, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), set up in 2015 under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, oversees Jamaica’s legal cannabis industry. The agency said the licensing route is open to all applicants, including people classified as traditional farmers, meaning persons who were cultivating ganja before decriminalisation.

The CLA reported that since 2025 it has issued 196 licences. It also pointed to incoming amendments to the Dangerous Drug Regulations, including provisions for delivery services, standardised licence periods and short-term permits for events.

Even so, critics argue the process is still difficult for many small growers. They say formal entry demands significant capital, with startup and compliance costs running into millions of dollars in some cases. The regulator acknowledged that licensing involves due diligence, document verification, police records and proof of identification.

Some analysts also questioned whether strict licensing requirements are appropriate for what they describe as an industry still in its early development stage, saying young sectors usually receive incentives before full regulatory burdens are phased in.

The commercial side continues to grow. Between 2019 and 2020 alone, trade among licensed operators was valued at more than US$1.3 million, or over J$200 million, excluding retail sales. Officials say that value has continued to rise as more licences are granted.

To improve participation, the CLA said it has introduced support measures, including deferred payment plans, a special cultivator transitional permit that gives smaller operators up to two years to move into the full licensing regime, and a community permit allowing groups to cultivate together.

Still, many traditional farmers say they remain on the margins while ownership and profit become increasingly concentrated among investors with stronger financial backing.