This was done by Parliament establishing the Regulated Substances Authority to regulate the production, sale, and export of controlled substances. Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte says the government will do its best to end the prejudice against the drug.

“We have shown an intent, not only to remove the archaic and draconian criminal provisions concerning cannabis but to establish a legal framework allowing for the cultivation, sale and use of cannabis,” Hon. Hippolyte said.

The global cannabis market size was valued at USD 43.72 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 57.18 billion in 2023 to USD 444.34 billion by 2030.  Several Caribbean islands still outlaw cannabis use of any kind, but others, like Saint Lucia, are making progress towards reform. The region as a whole has the potential to become the perfect environment to advance the cannabis industry.

In August 2021, the House voted to pass the Criminal Records and Rehabilitation Amendment Bill, which expunges the criminal records of people convicted of the possession of 30 grams of cannabis or less. In September 2021, PM Pierre announced that St. Lucia would update the Misuse of Drugs Act to decriminalise the personal and private use of 30 grams of cannabis or less.

The Commerce Minister, however, noted that the process to create a proper regulatory framework was more difficult than originally thought. “What we, like many in the public initially perceived as a rather simple undertaking, has been a thought-provoking and tedious undertaking….cannabis was not the only substance which required a regulatory framework,” she explained. As it stands, the Regulated Substances Authority will tackle matters relating to other regulated substances in Saint Lucia, like alcohol.

PM Pierre says he hopes the success of the industry locally and internationally will not be hampered by global push-back. “In sugarcane, in bananas, in tourism, in financial services, in Citizenship by Investment Programme - any economic venture that we seem to be going into that may cause us to have genuine independence, there’s some push-back. And, sometimes, I wonder if the motive is development or is the motive control,” Hon. Pierre noted.

The Pierre Administration says it will continue developing the cannabis industry to maximise export.