Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard said yesterday he is pushing the Cabinet to allow the production of hemp and cannabidiol (CDB) products in The Bahamas as the country awaits a decision on whether or not marijuana will be decriminalized or legalized.
Pintard said he could not comment on the possible cultivation of marijuana, as it is in the purview of the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana in the Office of the Prime Minister.
“What I can comment on are two other things that are closely related but not necessarily within the purview of that commission,” Pintard said when asked about the matter during a press conference.
“One is industrial hemp, which produces a wide range of products, which, of course, in its cultivation would have to be zoned in a location so that there isn’t cross-pollination between related crops.
“That is something that has massive potential. We have been in numerous meetings with investors, Bahamians as well as otherwise, with respect to industrial hemp. That is not what you smoke. You don’t get high by it no matter what amount is consumed.
“In fact, it is used to produce a wide range of everyday products that you and I would use.
“And, so, it is my intention to ask the Cabinet that we proceed in terms of separating that. Until the question of cannabis has been settled, let’s deal with what should not be a controversial issue.
“Secondly, CBD products as well, which, again, do not have THC in it, which would, in fact, get somebody high; the things that concern a great many Bahamians.”
Pintard said the longer the government waits to move on the matter, the more opportunities are lost.
“We need to move on the things that are not controversial to a large extent, that have the potential to generate revenue that others are taking advantage of,” he said.
“And the longer we wait, the longer we miss the opportunity.”
The post Pintard to push for hemp and CBD production appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/pintard-to-push-for-hemp-and-cbd-production/
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