Voices Magazine Vol3 Issue 2

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | August - September 2019 12 Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Dean, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica addressing the opening ceremony of the UTech, Jamaica 4th Jamaican Medical Cannabis Integration Symposium (JAMECANN 2019) on July 4, 2019 at the Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. T he College of Health Sciences (COHS) hosted the 4th Jamaican Medical Cannabis Integration Symposium (JAMECANN 2019) July 4 - 5, 2019 at the Papine Campus under the theme, Merging Science, Spirit and Business: The Future of Medical Cannabis in Jamaica: What will success look like? The two-day symposium showcased advances in research that have been made in the Jamaican and international medical cannabis industry and provided opportunities for building research networks. The symposium comprised a series of sessions and workshops which updated participants on areas such as legislation and compliance, investment opportunities, best practices on patient care with medical Cannabis, and discussions surrounding Cannabis, culture and religion. Workshops examined using cannabinoids to make medicines and basic Cannabis testing techniques. Participants and presenters at the symposium came from the USA, Europe and the Caribbean. Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, UTech, Jamaica who brought the welcome on behalf of University President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie at the opening ceremony, pointed out that Jamaica is estimated to have over 80 or 50% of the 160 medicinal plants in the world with proven, scientifically validated benefits. He noted that the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) informs that the medical marijuana industry can earn up to US$2B for Jamaica and capture approximately 5% of the world market. Dean, COHS, Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly in her remarks, reported that since UTech, Jamaica was issued with a Marijuana Research Licence by the government in 2015, several related activities have been achieved and are on-going. These she said include agricultural activities, testing, public education and clinical trials. Other speakers at the event included symposium convenor, Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, guest speaker, Mrs. Shullette Cox, Vice President – Research, Advocacy and Project Implementation Division, JAMPRO and Mr. Dunstan Bryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness. COHS Hosts 4 th Jamaican Medical Cannabis Integration Symposium L-R: Mrs. Shullette Cox, Vice President – Research, Advocacy and Project Implementation Division, JAMPRO, Mr. Dunstan Bryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness and Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, UTech, Jamaica. Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, Symposium Convenor