Medicinal Cannabis Authority Strengthens Public Awareness and Establishes Committee to Address Substance Misuse in Schools
The Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) is reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health, upholding regulatory standards, and ensuring the responsible development of Antigua and Barbuda’s medicinal cannabis industry. On 20 November 2025, the Board of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority convened its statutory meeting.
During its deliberations, the Board expressed deep concern regarding increasing reports of substance misuse within schools across Antigua and Barbuda. In recognition of the urgent need for coordinated intervention, the Board invited a delegation of teachers to share firsthand accounts of the challenges faced within the education system.
Following these engagements, the Board resolved to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on School-Based Interventions on Substance Misuse for 2026. The committee is tasked with developing a comprehensive programme of activities to support targeted outreach in schools for the upcoming academic term and designing and coordinating a national intervention strategy for the MCA. Planned initiatives include school and PTA visits, public education activities, and strengthened community engagement.
Speaking on the Board’s decision, the Chairman, Ambassador Daven Joseph, stated: “We all understand the role that the Medicinal Cannabis Authority Board has to play in helping to solve this problem.”
The Committee will be chaired by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Chambers, Head of the Narcotics Department, and other members will include: Dr. Kamaria De Castro, Chief Medical Officer, Mr. Ika Fergus, Agricultural Representative on the MCA Board, Ms. Jeniece St. Romain, Crown Counsel and Executive Secretary of the MCA Board, Mr. Regis Burton, Chief Executive Officer, MCA; and Ms. St. Bernard, teacher at Princess Margaret School.
The MCA emphasises that the Committee’s mandate is to support, complement, and strengthen existing programmes through targeted interventions aligned with the MCA’s public health and regulatory responsibilities.
The MCA already has ongoing collaborations with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as well as the Substance Abuse Prevention Unit within the Ministry of Social Transformation, and in order to ensure national coherence and avoid duplication of ongoing efforts, this Committee will work in close collaboration with existing Government departments and civil society partners already engaged in substance-abuse prevention and youth outreach.
The Committee will begin its work immediately, and the MCA will continue to update the general public as this important initiative progresses. For further information, please contact: Medicinal Cannabis Authority, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
The MCA is the statutory body responsible for regulating and controlling the medicinal cannabis industry in Antigua and Barbuda. Its mandate includes issuing licenses, ensuring compliance with national legislation, and promoting the development of a safe, secure, and economically viable medicinal cannabis sector.
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PPP – Piss Poor Planning
PPM – Piss Poor Management
BBB – Big Boarse Business
The Gaston Browne led CABINET must take the blame for this issue.
The DECRIMINALISATION of the female flowers, of the Hemp plant was all about VOTES. Getting votes, in particular from those who profess to be Rasta, Rude_Bwoi, Gangsters, and the importers of the product.
One can even say, the #6_VOTES which Lovell lost by came from these groups, gangs, POSSEE.
If there was proper planning put into the legislation(s), there is no way, none whatsoever that this issue would be causing so much chaos in the schools, that the legislature is now running helter skelter to address what is happening in the school.
A…all smoking MUST be banned in public spaces. Concerts and shows should have designated areas for smoking, so too must bars, restaurants, clubs etc; and, so too should the beaches.
As you all talk about global warming and climate change BANNING SMOKING in public should be high on the priority list.
B…the age of those using marijuana MUST be set, to at least 20years. What you do in your camp or Ibanacle or Tabernacles or churches should be licensed and taxed. Parents/guardians must bear the responsibility and if they become slack, fine them.
While the focus and attention is now on WEED SMOKING in the schools, do you’ll know, that alcohol which is readily available to all is a problem as well. It’s just masked, cloaked under the #hoodies, and the hot stepping walks.
#WEED_4_VOTES is what the fake decriminalisation is about.
Decriminalisation for campaign donations is in the Pepperpot too.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏾 Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
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