Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw says if Jamaica is to move from poverty to prosperity, the country must take strong bold action in the cannabis industry.

Mr. Shaw says others in the world have been studying the benefits of medical cannabis.

He says Jamaica is poised for growth in this area, and provisions are being made to adequately capitalize on the economic benefits.

He says Jamaica still has the best quality ganja.

He says provisions are also being made for small farmers to produce and benefit from the trade.

The minster was speaking at the Denbigh Agricultural show in Clarendon.