Shipment comes after three years of work with international agencies, friendly governments and other stakeholders

St Vincent and the Grenadines has shipped its first supply of medicinal cannabis to Europe.

In doing so, it has become the first member state of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to be granted permission for the export of medicinal cannabis.

The government in Kingstown announced last  Friday (January 7) that the island would export its first shipment of medicinal cannabis to Europe. The announcement came after the Government had approved the first export certificate for medicinal cannabis on January 5.

The granting of permission to export came after an import certificate was issued by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices for the product to legally enter Germany. The export permission was granted to Caribbean Cannabis Company trading as Medicinal.

This company already has several products marketed locally and has worked with traditional cultivators in building out their supply chain.

The jurisdiction has worked over the last three years, with international agencies, friendly governments and local public and private sector stakeholders, to make this a reality.

Significant capital investment in medical cannabis

The industry has witnessed significant capital investment from both the public and private sectors, the latter of which includes sources that span the globe, according to economist, Terrel Mapp, the current chief operating officer at the MCA.

Additionally, the recent opening of the Caribbean Gold Standard Laboratory has given St Vincent and the Grenadines a competitive edge in capturing international markets for medicinal cannabis.

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is also working to establish a diversified medicinal wellness platform which will include traditional medicines, and the emerging psychedelics doctor-assisted treatment initiative.

The twin islands’ Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar said: “St Vincent and the Grenadines is ready for global business in the Medicinal Wellness Industry Space. We invite the world to participate…SVG has opened a significant global opportunity for collaboration among member states of the OECS wishing to participate in the international medical cannabis industry.