In 2013, the Government of Jamaica and the Government of the Republic of South Africa signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation on science and technology. One area of agreed focus was that of commercialization of products based on current innovative cannabis processing practices of indigenous knowledge holders. This was due to the extensive experience South Africa had in protecting the rights of its traditional people such as the Pondo (Eastern Cape) and Nyahbinghi (KwaZulu Natal). These traditional healers and spiritual elders  have been growing and processing cannabis for centuries and consequently have developed numerous products to treat a myriad of ailments such as cancer, mental illness, bellyaches and general pain. They have also developed novel soaps, rubs, oils, beverages and cosmoceuticals. It should be noted that prior to 2015 in Jamaica, the legal framework did not facilitate large-scale work in the area of cannabis processing. With the establishment of the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA)( mandated to regulate Jamaica’s legal ganja and hemp industry), under the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act (DDA),  there has not been the concurrent development of any IKS policy or legislative framework.  Many of the traditional healers, traditional “mothers” and tribal doctors are now fearful of being marginalized and having their IP and rights taken away and violated because typically they do not have the requisite skill sets or financing required to ensure protection. This paper seeks to investigate some of the cannabis processing practices and innovations derived from such indigenous traditional groups in Jamaica and the possibilities for their legal protection

Traditional cannabis processing: Protecting indigenous knowledge

254th National Meeting (2017)

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