BY NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribbunemedia.net

A group advocating for the development of a marijuana industry in The Bahamas is seeking a "three to five year" research and development licence to grow and research certain medical attributes of marijuana.

According to the BACARI, given current trends, "it is only a matter of time" before the entire United States and the majority of Caribbean countries follow the path of marijuana legalisation.

In a letter addressed to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, Terry Miller, the organisation's chairman, stated: "We are requesting a three to five-year research and development licence which would allow us to grow, develop and carry out testing on patients with specific ailments that cannabis has shown positive results with.

"Along with our consultants and partners, our goal is to become a leader in scientific research of not only cannabis, but an array of Bahamian cultural bush medicines, and other natural plant remedies, by establishing one of the best research facilities in the western hemisphere. Our farm, nursery and lab will train and employ scores of young farmers, technicians and scientists within the next three years, and we expect dozens of patents coming out of our research."

Mr Miller added: "We will build on tested quality products, and develop standardised dosing regiments, using already documented scientific information to design and develop new products for the industry. We will follow best industry standards on the farm, in the greenhouses, in the research facility and in the way we operate."

Miller has previously told Tribune Business the economic economic benefit of a Bahamian marijuana industry is potentially in the tens of millions of dollars.