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“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 63 UTech, Jamaica Receives Renewed Licence for Medical Marijuana Research The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) reached another significant milestone in its thrust as a national partner in developing a sustainable marijuana industry, with the receipt of a renewed medical marijuana research licence from the Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. AndrewWheatley, MP. The Minister presented the renewed licence to the University’s Acting President, Prof. Colin Gyles during the 2nd Medical Marijuana Integration Day hosted by the College of Health Sciences on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the UTech, Jamaica Papine campus. UTech, Jamaica received its first medical marijuana research licence on May 13, 2015 from then Minister Hon. Phillip Paulwell during the University’s inaugural Marijuana Integration Day. The 2nd Marijuana Integration Day dubbed “Cannabis Reclaimed II” celebrated the gains and the impact made by the University in the area of marijuana research and community partnership. The day’s proceedings attracted a large gathering of academics, private and public sector partners and interest groups, students and members of the Rastafarian and Maroon communities and included research presentations, exhibits and demonstrations, product display booths and a plant clinic for testing of cannabis sativa samples. In his address to the capacity gathering, Minister Wheatley referenced the case of a two-year old boy overseas who has Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy which forces him to constantly wear a helmet owing to incidences of up to 20 seizures a day. He noted that the seizures have significantly been reduced since the child began medical marijuana treatment a year ago. Minister Wheatley noted that these are the encouraging stories that “motivate us as a Government to find solutions for the people of Jamaica and the wider international community,” adding that this “gives credence to the work of medical scientists and researchers.” He commended UTech, Jamaica for the research work being undertaken in this regard and for its role as a “reservoir of knowledge” needed to revolutionise the industry. In the area of nutraceuticals, the Minister also pointed to the enormous economic potential for Jamaica which he noted has over 80 of the 160 existing medicinal plants with scientifically validated medical benefits. “In other words, we have here in Jamaica, 50% of the plants in the world that have been declared to have medicinal properties,” he reinforced, adding that “the total estimated value of nutraceuticals exported from Jamaica in 2014 was over US$12 M. Minister Wheatley told the gathering that his Government is “taking the necessary steps to implementing the necessary legislations and policies so that this industry can soar.” Among themeasures being taken, he noted, are steps to enhance the role of the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) including consultancy to recommend discrete components of the regulations; creation of licensing regimes to include five license types and 11 categories, and security and enforcement monitoring mechanisms. Acting President, Prof. Colin Gyles in his welcome, noting the historic significance of the day said that UTech, Jamaica as the only national university takes its mandate seriously to “align our pursuit of knowledge, research and scholarship with national development goals.” He noted that a University-wide multidisciplinary research group led by Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, Dean, College CANNABIS SATIVA (MARIJUANA/GANJA)