Dr. Irving McIntyre Outlines Clear Vision for Dominica’s Cannabis Industry
The Minister for Finance, Dr. Irving McIntyre, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a structured, inclusive, and sustainable cannabis industry in Dominica. Speaking at the opening of the National Cannabis Symposium, Dr. McIntyre called for a future where the cannabis sector reflects national values, anchored in science, responsibility, and fairness.
Our objectives during this symposium is to explore the vast potential of the cannabis plant, for public health, economic empowerment, agricultural revitalization, and social equity.
Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister for Finance
Dr. McIntyre emphasized that Dominica’s cannabis policy is not just about economic opportunity but a broader movement to modernize agriculture, generate value-added production, and ensure that all Dominicans, especially traditional cultivators and small farmers, are part of the process. “Dominica’s approach is rooted in our broader objective to modernize agriculture and to create value‑added products,” he explained.
The Minister revealed plans to establish a National Cannabis Regulatory Commission, designed to oversee the emerging sector and ensure compliance with both national and international standards. He also stressed the need for a well-managed value chain, from cultivation to export, that benefits the people of Dominica.
“We are focused on working a value chain that stretches from research and cultivation to processing, manufacturing, and export,” Dr. McIntyre said, calling on stakeholders to approach the industry with seriousness and readiness.
Acknowledging concerns about exploitation and exclusion, he made clear that the industry must protect citizens’ rights.
Regulation must be robust, laws must be clear, enforcement must be fair, and the rights of all Dominican citizens, including religious users, traditional cultivators, and youth, must be safeguarded.
Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister for Finance
Dr. McIntyre’s closing remarks resonated with the hundreds gathered for the symposium
Let us ensure that this new industry is one that creates jobs, links communities, protects the vulnerable, respects the environment, and keeps the profits and the land in the hands of the people.
Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister for Finance
His address was widely seen as setting the tone for the symposium’s second day, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to transparency, public dialogue, and ensuring that Dominica’s cannabis future is built to last, by Dominicans and for Dominica.
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