Cannabis Trader Alexandra Chong Eyes UK for Joint Venture

Jamaican Rastafarians’ fondness for “the wisdom weed” helped to make the Caribbean island the centre of cannabis culture. Thanks to a British businesswoman, part of its legendary crop has now been exported legally for the first time.

Alexandra Chong, 37, a former internet entrepreneur, was behind Jamaica’s first legitimate shipment of cannabis flower buds and resin. It was flown from the capital, Kingston, to Canada, where recreational pot was legalised in October.

Her company, Jacana, hopes to export organic medicinal cannabis to Britain before the end of the year. “We’re super-excited about the UK. We will be selling here, hopefully, very soon,” she said.

Medicinal cannabis was legalised in Britain in November, allowing specialists to prescribe it as a drug of last resort after a public outcry. The shift in legislation has fuelled a “green rush” of investment in cannabis ventures, with analysts estimating that the British market could be worth £8 billion a year by 2028.

Ms Chong, who holds British and Jamaican citizenship, became involved in the industry after she considered investing in a company that aims to help small cannabis farmers in California. She has a law degree from the London School of Economics and has lived mostly in the UK for the past 20 years.

Jamaica’s Rastafarians regards cannabis as a religious sacrament, but possession of even a small amount was a criminal offence on the island until 2015. Interim measures allowing pot to be exported were formulated late last year.

Ms Chong said: “For the Rastafarian community this is part of their religion. There’s a lot of emotional debate around legalisation, in particular how the country can benefit.”

Her 100-acre plantation on the island is thought to be the world’s largest legal outdoor pot farm. “I see this as a really exciting opportunity to go back home and bring my entrepreneurial experience, bring investment back to Jamaica, and help ensure that Jamaica gets this right,” she said.

Audley Shaw, the country’s industry and agriculture minister, said: “Jamaica is proud to be emerging as a leader in one of the fastest growing global industries.”