Drought, pandemic, poor regulation: cannabis shortage in Jamaica

Heavy rains followed by prolonged drought, increased local consumption and a decline in the number of cannabis growers have led to a shortage of cannabis in Jamaica.

«It's a cultural embarrassment,» a declared Triston Thompson, who works for a consulting firm for the nascent cannabis industry. «Last year was the worst year. We've never had so many losses.»

Heavy rains during last year's hurricane season hit the cannabis fields, which were then scorched by the drought that followed, causing tens of thousands of dollars in losses, according to local farmers. Missing infrastructure such as roads and water access, as well as travel restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 also compounded the problems.

The pandemic and a Jamaican cannabis laws relaxed have led to an increase in local consumption that has not been followed by an increase in supply. The island's recent opening up to the medical market has also prompted traditional small-scale farmers to stop growing cannabis, as they are financially unable to meet the demands of the legal market.

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), Jamaica's cannabis licensing authority, has authorized 29 growers and issued 73 licenses for transport, retail, processing and other activities. It denies that there is a shortage on the legal cannabis market. But local accounts suggest that legal cannabis is out of reach for many consumers, with prices 5 to 10 times more expensive than traditional cannabis.

Jamaica decriminalized cannabis possession for small quantities (56 grams) and personal use in 2015. Medical cannabis is sold in herb houses, the equivalent of American dispensaries, since 2018.