Jamaica is facing a marijuana shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and drought.
The country’s illegal market took a hit after a severe hurricane season ravished cannabis crops. What’s more, the pandemic forced officials to impose curfews to tamp down the spread of the virus. However, those measures prevented farmers from properly tending to their crops at night, something integral to the production process. Despite the low supply on the street level, Jamaican officials have ensured consumers that the government regulated cannabis industry isn’t experiencing the same shortages. But the main deterrent toward the government-run cannabis industry is the price. The price for government-regulated cannabis in Jamaica is reportedly five to ten times higher than the street price.