We the undersigned, industry stakeholder members of the Jamaica Psilocybin Technical Committee of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) are committed to the safe and responsible development of the industry for Jamaica and function within our own capacities as contributors to the Technical Committee.

The Jamaica Psilocybin Technical Committee was established by the BSJ following an announcement by Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the portfolio ministry for the BSJ.

World leader in global market

With the current legal framework, Jamaica has a very unique place in this global industry as persons are able to access and utilise psilocybin mushrooms, that is evidenced to have been used by humans for thousands of years. Our jurisdiction has allowed for the Jamaican mushroom industry to become a world leader in this global marketplace, contributing to significant product cultivation, processing, standardised product development, therapeutic application, research, local and international trade, all with qualities very unique to our shores. As governments move to enable access to psilocybin mushrooms, decriminalising their use (as evidenced in cities in California, Massachusetts, Michigan) and legalising supervised used (as evidenced by Oregon and Colorado), it is paramount that Jamaica capitalises on the competitive advantages it currently has in this market.

With the growth of this industry, we as operators recognise the need for an established standard of operations, paramount in purpose being the safe availability of this product to those it may benefit. The psilocybin mushroom has been researched and demonstrated to show significant effectiveness in the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidality, substance abuse (especially alcohol), certain autoimmune diseases, palliative and cancer care, amongst others. This category of mushrooms has also been used in cultures worldwide in sacramental practices and spiritual healthcare. Since the 1960s, the practice of this industry in Jamaica has evolved and is used by locals and tourists visiting our shores.

We are fully aware of the need for standardised, safe and responsible availability of mushrooms, with particular caution to our youth. As such we are significantly concerned with the expressions of erroneous information that can be outrightly dangerous, being publicly presented by sources seemingly inadequately informed and/or inexperienced in the use of this product, while seeking to project an understanding that is unsubstantiated. We are committed to the effort of ensuring accurate public education, thus enabling the best understanding of this natural Jamaica Psilocybin Technical Committee.

Solutions to valid concerns

There are solutions to valid concerns and these solutions are being actively crafted. It is hoped that there can be constructive collaboration as we seek to formalise these solutions. Jamaica is positioned to be a global leader in this marketplace. It is imperative that we safely maximize the potential of this product for our people and country.

We are, sincerely, as listed industry stakeholder members of the Jamaica Psilocybin Technical
Committee:

• Sen Dr. Saphire Longmore, Government Senator & Psychiatrist – Chair
• Mr. Jordan James, Looking Glass Farms Ltd – Vice Chair
• Mr. Justin Townsend, MycoMeditations Ltd
• Mr. Jason Williams, Cosmic Mushrooms Ltd
• Prof. Rupika Delgoda, Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy UWI
• Dr. Dingle Spence, Palliative Care & Clinical Oncologist, Jamaica Cancer Care and Research
• Institute –
• Mr. Kevin Bourke, Rose Hill Apothecary Ltd
• Mr. Kynan Cooke, Psacred Therapeutics Ltd
• Mr. Jack Crane, Swiss Chemist Ltd
• Mr. Brandon James, Looking Glass Farms Ltd
• Mr. Charles Lazarus, Rose Hill Apothecary Ltd
• Ms. Shontelle Pinch, Swiss Chemist Ltd