Minister for Housing and Urban Development Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, says cannabis has always been negatively perceived as a recreational drug with high abuse potential and associated illegal trade, leading to its classification as a scheduled drug with no recognized medical use which has influenced public opinion.
She was speaking at a Cannabis symposium to underscore Dominica’s commitment to sustainable development and economic diversification through responsible cultivation and use of medicinal cannabis
A key focus was on ensuring that small farmers are not marginalized as the industry develops and on fostering a strategic cannabis sector that contributes economically while implementing safeguards to prevent abuse.