The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved the third annual Antigua and Barbuda Cannabis (ABC) Festival, due to take place from 17 to 20 April 2026 in St John’s and other locations across the island.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the decision reflected the government’s support for the regulated development of the country’s medicinal cannabis industry.
Held under the theme “Connect. Celebrate. Rejuvenate.”, the four-day event will combine education, trade and cultural activities, with organisers aiming to position the country as a niche player in the global medicinal cannabis market.
Planned events include a cannabis education conference and trade show at the American University of Antigua, bringing together regional and international investors and researchers; a Rastafari “Sacred Gathering” in Liberta, St Paul’s; and a wellness-focused island experience and sunset cruise.
Mr Merchant said Cabinet viewed the festival as a strategic initiative to attract investment, promote regulatory standards and provide science-based public education on cannabis use.
The government believes the medicinal cannabis sector offers opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic diversification, as global demand for regulated products grows.
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This system is wicked and evil asf. Still jailimg ones for using and handling the herb but eager to make money from it. Judgement!!!
The medical cannabis industry now under the full control of the governments, big pharma and other large corporations is all about money been made using the same slave plantation business concept.
The seedless, hybridised female plants which were developed in big pharma’s laboratories and research institutions are not the same female plants from decades ago. Those were organically grown in nature for the most part and were not as harsh on the body, as their synthetic counterparts of today, grown commercially for profits.
Think of today’s female cannabis plants in the same way, you’d view organic versus non-organic/genetically modified crops such as corn, soybeans, beets etc.
This genetically modified female marijuana plant is even more dangerous to the body, in particular the lungs, heart and kidneys just like many of those GMO – Food crops.
The quasi, fake decriminalisation by the Government Ruling Arm of this ABLP Administration is geared towards introducing and increasing its use by a wider cross section of the community, boost the tourism product already built on another drug – alcohol, all to put additional resources in the pockets of private investors, in again, the same business concept as the cotton & sugarcane on the slave plantation.
Let’s hope, that the same Ruling Arm of the government is putting in place, the mental health and physical health facilities to address the negative fallouts down the road.
PS…please keep the bullshit about individuals have choices because many of these youths of today abd even the older generation who’re caught up in this medical marijuana tsunami, tornado have no idea of the original uses of this plant as a form of communal meditation with the Essence of Nature’s ether which surrounds them. They’re food for fodder.
BTW – I once advocated for the legalization of the HEMP PLANT, not just the flowers produced by the female species but, once you sit down and reason with the sharks and charlatans, in particular those in the legal fraternity, you see right through the aura which surrounds many of these crooks.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏾 Garrate_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Hopefully there is a high participation and acceptance rate for local legal cannabis providers. Love it ❤️