25 YEARS' IN CANNABIS
Pioneers of Jamaica's Legal Cannabis Industry
Enlighten’s founders, Jill McKenzie Burr and James Burr, are pioneers of Jamaica’s legal cannabis industry and veteran cannabis advocates. Their company, Alternative Import & Export, a hemp products and cannabis consulting business founded in 1995, was the first to advise the Jamaican government on cannabis production for sustainable island development.
James and Jill worked closely with leaders from finance, industry, agriculture, scientific research, and national security. Together, they led the government’s first cannabis committee, organized to research and promote Jamaica's transition to legal cannabis production.
They also provided support to Jamaica's legalize ganja movement and collaborated with Rastafarian elders leading the campaign.
These efforts gave the Jamaican government a new perspective on ganja, helping pave the way for Jamaica's medical cannabis industry.
Background
CANNABIS - HEALTH & WELLNESS - SUSTAINABILITY
Along with deep roots in cannabis, Enlighten's founders bring a background in sustainable development, expertise in the health & wellness industry, and a 25-year history building positive relations with government, business, and community leaders throughout Jamaica, as well as with local hospitality, media, and entertainment.
James and Jill founded Enlighten Cannabis after recognizing that many of Jamaica's licensed cannabis producers are focused on mass production, which has not created opportunities for small-scale ganja farmers or produced the high-grade ganja they grow.
Their aim is to bring the island's world-renowned sun-grown ganja to the global market, providing cannabis patients access to premium certified organic Jamaican flower products, while empowering traditional ganja farmers to produce for the medical cannabis industry.
As advocates for Jamaica's traditional ganja farmers, James and Jill are featured speakers sharing insight into sustainable cannabis production, cannabis and tourism, and transitioning small-scale ganja farmers to the legal medical cannabis market.
ROOTS
Growing In The Right Direction
Sustainability and Wellness
Enlighten's commitment to sustainability is rooted in a respect for Jamaica's ganja culture, support for medical cannabis access, and belief in business as a force for positive change.
ENLIGHTEN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
In 2018, James and Jill founded Enlighten Development, Inc., a sustainable Caribbean resort development company that integrates a focus on Jamaica's medical cannabis industry and cannabis-centric tourism.
Enlighten Cannabis is a project of Enlighten Development, Inc. The company oversees business development and leads project planning, while also ensuring environmental, social, and corporate governance goals are met. By leveraging established relationships and expertise, Enlighten Development is able to navigate Jamaica's evolving cannabis industry and has developed key opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
"Jamaica has an opportunity to distinguish its cannabis product in the global market by producing exceptional quality, certified organic, fair-trade, sun-grown cannabis, and Enlighten intends to lead the way to achieve this level of quality".
- James Burr, Founder Enlighten Cannabis
