Growing cannabis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

It is estimated that the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean, with a population of just over 100,000, has more than 2,500 cannabis cultivators, mainly in the foothills of La Soufrière Volcano. After the demise of the banana economy in the early 21st Century, marijuana has become a safety net for many islanders.

Marijuana cultivation is initially attractive because three crops can be produced each year, with small holders earning up to US$10,000. After harvest, the marijuana is transported to the coast and sold to exporters, many from nearby islands. This is a risky business, with farmers often cheated by traders, arrested by security forces or robbed by rivals or pirates at sea.