You can get just about anything from a vending machine these days, from toys to junk food to condoms depending on where you are.
Jamaica is upping the vending machine game however by installing cannabis vending machines and kiosks throughout Jamaican airports.
It’s been a year since the Jamaican House of Representatives legalized limited amounts of marijuana and already the industry is taking off.
Definitely don’t hop on a plane to Jamaica right this second though. The nation’s Cannabis Licensing Authority is still reviewing the proposal.
It would allow tourists and travelers to purchase up to 2 ounces from the airport before heading to their hotels.
No, you won’t be able to buy any then hop on a plane.”The thought is that if you are coming out of the airport, there is a kiosk that you can go to.
So basically whoever is coming out of immigration can go to that desk and register and get that clearance,” – Hyacinth Lightbourne, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) Chairman told the Jamaican publication The Gleaner.
The Jamaican government is seeing dollar signs in the proposal. Delano Seiveright, a member of the CLA, thinks that the proposal could mean for some meaningful revenue for the small island nation.
In Colorado last year, even though it is recreational and medicinal, they sold about $1 billion worth of marijuana and collected $135 million in taxes for the state alone with a population of five million plus,” said CLA member Delano Seiveright.
“The Canadian market for medical, due to their patient system, they earn $100 million from that alone, and their view is that if they open it up, then they will have a $5-billion industry and the U.S. overall is about $5.4 billion last year and $6.7 billion this year. So you can see the potential it presents.” Seiveright reported.
Lightbourne admits that it’s not a secret that cannabis culture in Jamaica is of major interest to tourists. Instead of fighting that culture, and the will of the people, they want to welcome cannabis tourists with open arms.
This process isn’t going to take long. The CLA wants to move quickly to approve in order to prevent the government from putting up any legal loopholes.
Before you can buy cannabis from a vending machine or kiosk, you’ll need to stop at a permit desk and get a medicinal prescription or a permit to consume recreationally.
At that point, you’ll meet with a trained attendant who will guide you through the process of buying the right strain of cannabis for you. Doing this is considerably safer than trying to track down a street dealer.
If you’ve been thinking about a trip to Jamaica, keep this development in mind!
