Jamaica sees ‘major signal’ in US move to reclassify marijuana, says Seiveright”

Jamaica is monitoring the United States government’s decision to fast-track the reclassification of marijuana, a move described by Senator Delano Seiveright as a “major signal in the direction of further liberalisation at the US federal level".

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to expedite the reclassification of marijuana as a Schedule III drug, less restrictive than Schedule I, and could ease federal barriers to medical research, although it does not legalise recreational use nationwide.

“Schedule I is the most restrictive category under US law, reserved for substances deemed to have no accepted medical use. Moving cannabis to Schedule III, if completed through the required administrative process, would materially ease barriers to medical and scientific research, expand clinical study opportunities, and alter the operating environment for regulated cannabis activity,” Seiveright, state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said.

He noted that the change reflects the evolving situation in the United States, where 24 states permit adult recreational use and about 40 allow medical use, despite federal restrictions.

For Jamaica, which has decriminalised small amounts of ganja and operates a regulated medical, therapeutic, and scientific cannabis regime overseen by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), the development could be significant.

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“Jamaica’s framework has been deliberately designed to support lawful, research-driven and medically focused activity. However, the continued Schedule I classification in the U.S. has long contributed to banking and correspondent services challenges, elevated compliance costs, and conservative risk assessments by financial institutions,” Seiveright added.

He urged caution, saying the ultimate impact on banking access, cross-border investment, research collaboration, and wider market engagement will depend on how the US implements the change and how international financial systems respond.

“Nevertheless, a US federal move away from Schedule I represents a meaningful and long-awaited shift, and one that could gradually reduce friction for legitimate medical research, scientific innovation and compliant, value-added opportunities for Jamaica over time,” Seiveright said.

Trump said the change responds to public demand, noting, “We have people begging for me to do this. People that are in great pain.”