By: Staff Writer
June 22, 2021
An Antigua & Barbuda marijuana grower boss said that he is looking to control the local market in Antigua first and then move towards regional exports, but is patient to wait for international regulations to “standardize” before moving out of the region.
Andrew Moody-Stuart, Grow Antigua’s managing director, told Caribbean Magazine Plus after just being granted a license for medical marijuana in Antigua and said that while moving from an illegal industry to now being legal has brought some “challenges” but he is prepared for the long haul.
Mr Moody-Stuart said: “There are lots of protocols concerning product Testing, a track and trace system and security. Moving from an illegal industry to a legal one has led to some challenges, not only for us here in Antigua but also in other jurisdictions. “
History was made on Monday 14 June 2021, as the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, through the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (the “MCA” or “Authority”), issued the first official licence for the production of Medical Cannabis.
The Authority is a statutory body created to regulate and issue licenses for the cultivation, manufacture, processing, extraction, import, export, testing, research, distribution, and sale of medicinal cannabis goods.
The first licence was issued to Grow Antigua, a local trifold company that can boast of being the first of its kind in the Cannabis Industry.
Mr Moody-Stuart also said: “We will not be growing Hemp. We will produce a full spectrum medicine, with varying percentages of cannabinoids depending on ailments.
“There are no Hemp regulations in Antigua & Barbuda at present, and in my opinion the island is not big enough and does not have enough water to support an industrial Hemp industry.
GROW (Antigua & Barbuda) Limited is an Antiguan & Barbudan registered vertically integrated ‘seed to sale’ Medical Cannabis Company. The company is a public/private hybrid operation that includes the government, Rastafari communities, and private enterprise as central Stakeholders.
The three entities comprising Grow Antigua are, Itopia Life (Antigua) Ltd, Rastafari Food For Life Ltd, and National Asset Management Company (NAMCO).
(l-r) Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Hon Samantha Marshall, GROW Director Andrew Moody-Stuart and RFFL Head Ras Osagyfu, cuts the ribbon signaling the commencement of GROW Antigua.
Grow Antigua is looking at the local market in Antigua & Barbuda primarily and then the regional market, said Mr Moody-Stuart.
He added: “Even in the medical cannabis industry it is extremely complicated to move products internationally. We are looking for regional trade until international regulations standardize.
Mr Moody-Stuart also said: “We are extremely excited and grateful with the opportunities that lie ahead. We have a unique company structure that incorporates the Rastafari, the government and private enterprise.
We intend to produce the highest quality medicine for patients that are greatly in need of an alternative to their prescription medication.
“Antigua has a small population, and we believe we can support the country’s needs along with the visiting guests we have to the island.
“We would like to expand our model to other Caribbean islands over the next few years.
Grow Antigua applied for licencing in September of last year, and was granted a conditional licence in December and has just received their final licence.