Bahamas to decriminalize cannabis and legalize its medical, religious and scientific uses

The Bahamas government has announced a legislative package that will legalize cannabis for medical, religious and research purposes. Personal possession of small quantities of cannabis will also be decriminalized, and previous convictions for simple possession will be expunged.

The package of bills would establish a local framework for cannabis production and, according to the government, «ensure a well-regulated, safe and controlled cannabis industry».

Attorney General Ryan Pinder and Minister of Health and Welfare Michael Darville announced the proposed reforms at the weekly press conference of the Prime Minister's Office last Thursday.

Mr. Pinder said he hoped the bills would be presented to Parliament by October.

«The aim would be to discuss it by the end of the calendar year, because there's a lot of work to be done to set up the authority,» he said. «There's the training, the certifications, the digital platform for tracking and prescriptions, and all of that has to be done before licenses are issued.»

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If passed, Bahamian physicians will be able to recommend cannabis for specific conditions, including cancer, the multiple sclerosis and the’epilepsy.

«Many Bahamians suffer from debilitating illnesses such as terminal cancers, various forms of depression that don't respond to clinical therapy and post-traumatic stress,» said Mr Darville.

The changes will also make it possible to’religious use of cannabis by Rastafarians, who would have to obtain special licenses.

Although these reforms do not legalize cannabis across the board, possession of 30 grams of cannabis would be decriminalized, subject to a $250 fine in lieu of a criminal record. Previous convictions for simple possession would also be erased.

On the production side, future licensees must be Bahamian and at least 21 years old. Owner groups will also have to include a certain percentage of Bahamians, depending on the type of license. Cultivators, for example, will have to be 100% Bahamian-owned. Analytical, manufacturing and research licenses should be 30% Bahamian-owned.

«We have a number of licenses that will be in place and opportunities for Bahamians to participate, and we look forward to their participation,» said Pinder. «We believe this will have a positive economic impact.»

The system would be overseen by a new government cannabis authority, made up of nine members representing «a faith-based organization, civil society and a person from the banking, law, agriculture, scientific research, pharmacy and medicine sectors».

A government website dedicated to the proposals states that the «overall framework is not arbitrary; it is rooted in research and the findings of the Caribbean Community Secretariat's 2018 report on cannabis». In addition, the bills' authors have also studied the regulation of cannabis in Jamaica, à Barbados, à Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and in Canada.

«This ensures that our legislation is in line with international best practice and adapted to our unique cultural and legal context.»

In 2018, leaders of 19 Caribbean countries, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti and Jamaica, agreed to «review the current status of cannabis with a view to reclassification», citing «human and religious rights» issues arising from criminalization as well as «the economic benefits to be derived» from a regulated industry.