Floyd Green (second left), minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries, and Dwayne McKenzie (third left), president of Epican Jamaica, cut the ribbon to officially open Epican Jamaica on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay on May 16. Others in photo from left to right are Omar Robinson, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Winston Lawson, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jermaine Bibbons, head of marketing at Epican Jamaica. (Photo Phillip Lemonte)

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture Floyd Green has lauded Epican Jamaica for setting the high international standards needed to secure a share of the US$100 billion global medical marijuana industry.

“Soon, the global medical marijuana industry will be valued at more than US$100 billion, and Jamaica is getting ready to be a part of this global phenomenon. The stakes are high and Epican has already been a key player in aiding in the move toward an international standard in the emerging global cannabis industry,” Green said.

Speaking at the official opening of Epican Jamaica’s MoBay operation last week, Green disclosed that he is looking forward to the medical cannabis company’s “three additional dispensaries in short order”.

“To be blunt, we are happy that the Epican team has seen it fit to extend its facilities to our second city and to the main tourist shopping area in Montego Bay.”

The state minister disclosed that in a move, designed to hurdle too much red tape, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has embarked on an application process review.

“We want to ensure there isn’t too much bureaucracy in the system, while still ensuring the safeguards. We expect to complete this review over the next six weeks,” Green disclosed.

“To the partners in the industry, we expect that you will see a renewed, refreshed, revitalised CLA that is there to facilitate the expansion of your business. We are doing all we can now to take maximum advantage of our potential in this industry.”

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer/epican-expands_165392