Tampa, Fla. – Black cannabis entrepreneurs are virtually non-existent in America. They constitute 2% of the businesses and less than 10% are owned by people of color. Not surprisingly, for decades Black and Afro-Latino communities have had much higher rates of incarceration for marijuana offenses. While this gap is being addressed in many states through social equity policy built into state medical and recreational marijuana laws, it’s clear that there is still significant ground to make up. As a result, the private sector is stepping up – including Parallel, the parent company of Florida’s Surterra Wellness, and Black Cannabusiness (BCB).

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government has dismissed as “inaccurate allegations” international criticism of the country’s digital asset regulations following the collapse of FTX.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A two-day “Invest Jamaica 2022 Conference” got underway here on Tuesday with delegates being told that Jamaica is becoming a leading investment destination in the Caribbean.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has given an assurance to the business community that it will not be left in the dark as her administration gets ready to implement the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) 2022 plan.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced the first round of salary adjustments for public servants that will see about 8,000 members of the disciplined services taking home more money from next year.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Producers Group Limited (JP) and PanJam Investment Limited (PanJam) Monday announced an agreement resulting in an amalgamation of both businesses to create a new group of companies.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The Suriname government has given the green light for the construction of the Port of Nickerie, a new deep-water port with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi saying “this project should be seen in the context of the larger sub-regional development and connects Suriname with Guyana, Brazil and the region”.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has welcomed a trade delegation from Trinidad and Tobago indicating that the island is an ideal location for investments from the oil-rich twin island republic.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) says it is encouraging members of the public, especially in the sub-regional Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), to exercise due diligence and to be mindful of the high level of risk crypto-assets present.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The tourism sector in the Dominican Republic will receive a boost following reports that Jamaican businessmen plan to invest millions of dollars in the country’s tourism sector.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Chairwoman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Renee Coppin, says while hoteliers are expecting a favorable winter period due to pent-up travel demand, they are worried that it will not spill over into what is currently projected to be a dim summer 2023, due mainly to reduced airlift to the island.

BELMOPAN, Belize – The Belizean government says it has not it has not entered into any agreements for seismic studies nor for oil exploration in offshore areas even as the international company, Oceana said it would begin collecting the necessary signatures to trigger a national referendum.