ECNETNews, October 1, 2024: The excitement builds for a groundbreaking Caribbean Cannabis festival scheduled for next month in the Eastern Caribbean.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is preparing to host its inaugural Cannabis Expo, the CannaBliss SVG Festival, from November 1-3, 2024, at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. This landmark three-day event will promote medicinal cannabis and highlight its cultural significance, especially within the Rastafari community.
During the festival’s launch, a spokesperson from the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) emphasized the need for public education on medicinal cannabis and the importance of dispelling misconceptions. It was noted that by late 2024, nearly all English-speaking Caribbean nations are expected to have decriminalized or legalized medicinal cannabis. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the 1990s has greatly influenced the medical community’s understanding of cannabis’ health benefits.
The CannaBliss SVG Festival will feature a series of expert-led lectures from international, regional, and local specialists aimed at providing accurate information about cannabis. Additionally, the festival will host a traditional cultivators’ village where local farmers will showcase their cannabis products, along with bus tours that give visitors an inside look at cannabis cultivation on the island.
In addition to educational sessions, the festival will spotlight local and regional musical performances that celebrate the cultural significance of cannabis.
Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves discussed the evolving perception of cannabis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, transforming from a stigmatized substance to a respected asset in medicine, culture, tourism, science, and trade. He commended local cultivators for their dedication to positioning the country as a leading global producer of cannabis.
Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar announced a government allocation of $250,000 in direct support for traditional cultivators and Rastafari cannabis producers affected by Hurricane Beryl. In the coming days, officials from the MCA and the Ministry of Agriculture will meet with these cultivators to provide the necessary assistance.
