Shaw was responding to an article carried by Forbes magazine in May, that said the lack of positive action on the part of the Jamaican Government and the CLA has led to cannabis stakeholders exiting Jamaica, because of the obstacles in the granting of licences for the production and export of cannabis.

In a release on the issue following the Forbes story in May, the CLA responded, noting that it had conducted broad consultations with its stakeholders on the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Import and Export Licensing) Regulations, 2020, which it has been reviewing as well as providing feedback on drafts of the regulations.

In addition, minister of state in the ministry, Floyd Green, said then that whilst the CLA awaited the promulgation of these regulations, it has put in place protocols to facilitate both the import and export of cannabis by its licensees.

Chief executive officer of the CLA, Lincoln Allen, said that the authority stands ready to facilitate the export of cannabis and its extracts by its licensees, as long as it is satisfied that the licensee has met all the requirements of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended by the 1972 protocol.

He added, that upon the promulgation of these regulations, the CLA will continue to facilitate the import and export of cannabis by its licensees.