U.S. banking hurdles have stalled Barbados’ efforts to establish a medical marijuana industry despite government spending 17 million dollars over four and a half years on the project.

This has been disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, responding to questions from Opposition leader Ralph Thorne during the estimates debate in the House of Assembly.

Mr. Thorne had earlier accused the government of being less than forthright with the public during the estimates debate and demanded that the agriculture minister inform the country of the true state of the long-mooted medical marijuana industry.

In a subsequent session Mr. Weir explained the challenges but noted that several potential investors had come forward in the interim.

The exchanges occurred as the focus turned to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security during the continuing examination of government’s revenue and expenditure.