By: Staff Writer
July 11, 2025
Dominica held its first national cannabis symposium on July 9 and it sparked keen interest from one of its nationals living in Colorado who also is a renown hemp producer.
Elvis “Papi” Edwards, founder of Dr. Jimmy’s hemp company based in Colorado, told Caribbean Magazine Plus that his firm is ready to partner with any Dominican hemp company that is looking to supply the neighbouring French Caribbean countries of Guadeloupe and Martinique with hemp based products.
Edwards also said: “My sunscreen is water resistant, reef safe, vegan and all of that. What the Caribbean is looking for right now is a water resistant sunscreen and Dr. Jimmy’s is one of the best water resistant sunscreen.”
On the other hand, the much anticipated national symposium on cannabis drew a number of interested citizens with the hopes of understanding the government of Dominica’s intentions on the controversial plant. The event was facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy and was held at the State House Conference Centre on July 9 and 10.
Additionally, a Ministerial Technical Working Group will discuss regional cooperation and harmonized regulatory approaches. The programme also features a cultural segment led by the House of Nyabinghi, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual importance of cannabis.
The symposium was in an effort to support the advancement of the Medicinal Cannabis Bill, the establishment of a Cannabis Licensing Authority, and position Dominica as a credible producer and investment hub in the industry, stated the Ministry. This initiative is reportedly part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to modernize agriculture and foster a resilient, diversified economy through innovation, research, and inclusive stakeholder participation.
Dr. Machel Emanuel, technical consultant advisor for cannabis legislative reform and Economic Development, said at the symposium that: “There is no perfect cannabis legislation, it is a work in progress and as the world turns and research is done and advancements takes place there need to be that flexibility to be able to adjust particularly to the global shocks that we face based on COVID and we are prone to environmental disasters such as hurricanes.”
Edwards is aware of the challenges of marketing hemp products in the US and the region and said that his Dr. Jimmy’s is environmentally friendly and is also changing the way hemp products is seen.
Edwards, who was also featured in USAToday several weeks back, notes that the need for adequate marketing and joint ventures is what is needed to ensure that cannabis-based products in Dominica can become the premier cannabis product in the world. “We are ready to help Dominica service the French Caribbean in particular in Guadeloupe and Martinique so we can reach the wider French public.”
