The first of Jamaica’s cannabis exports has left the Caribbean island nation.

Thanks to a company in Kingston known as Timeless Herbal Care, Jamaica has been put on the map as a major supplier for Canada’s cannabis industry, where Bill C-45 was passed earlier in the year.

Before the batch is distributed for sale amongst Canadian territories, health authorities in Ottawa will first test and analyze the medical cannabis. Once the quality of Jamaica’s cannabis exports has been approved, sales to medical users will be overseen by the Canadian government.

“This was the first test shipment to create a pathway from Jamaica to Canada,” said the CEO of Timeless Herbal Care, Courtney Betty. “We think that, with the shortage of medical cannabis in Canada, Jamaica is going to be a great option. We’ve built our company on a model over the past five years in preparation for the Canadian opportunity.”

Timeless Herbal Care reveals news of Jamaica’s cannabis exports

The news of Jamaica’s cannabis exports was first announced on September 27. It was shared by the Jamaica Information Service. Health Canada issued an import permit for the shipment of “medical marijuana extracted oil,” according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

Timeless Herbal Care is developing these shipments under the control of Jamaica’s new Cannabis Licensing Authority, according to the Ministry.

“The shipment marks the first step in positioning Jamaica as the medical marijuana hub for the world,” read the announcement.

An initial harvest was confirmed by Timeless in February. The company described it as a “milestone [that] further distinguishes the company as the leading trailblazer in the development and advancement of the medical marijuana industry in Jamaica.”

Based on the information contained on Timeless’ official website, the company has secured “partnerships and affiliations” with Kingston’s University of West Indies, Denver-based weed product distributor Organa Brands, New York-based Mount Sinai Hospital and even the son of iconic reggae musician Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley.

Jamaica’s cannabis exports may remove the plant’s negative stigma

Back in June, the deal was made official by Jamaica’s Industry & Commerce Minister Audley Shaw, who journeyed to the Great White North to conduct a meeting with Jamaica’s leaders in traditional agriculture.

According to a report from the Jamaica Observer, Shaw encouraged traditional agricultural professionals to convert sugar crops to cannabis. He drew attention to the fact that between 15,000 and 18,000 hectares of land managed by a Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings is currently not in use.

“It is time for us to take a different view of cannabis, starting with medical cannabis,” Shaw revealed to business leaders inside New Kingston-based Knutsford Court Hotel. “If you are offended by recreational cannabis, stay away from that and focus on medical marijuana.”

Ganja Law permits Jamaica’s cannabis exports

Despite the progress that is noticeable in Jamaica’s cannabis industry, Shaw noted that he has considered the “negative stigma” that still somewhat clouds the topic of cannabis.

“But the world is moving on, and if we are not careful the world is going to leave us out… [T]he phenomenon of medical ganja is here and it is changing by the day,” said Shaw.

Jamaica’s cannabis exports are permitted under what was once known as the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act. It was renamed the “Ganja Law” and was passed by the nation’s parliament on Bob Marley’s 70th birthday, February 6, 2015.