Bermuda: Governor blocks (for now) cannabis legalization

Rena Lalgie, Governor of the Territory of Bermuda, has decided to reserve her assent for the legalization of cannabis in the archipelago.

She did, however, urge Bermuda officials to work with the British government to find a compromise and respect United Nations conventions. The legalization project, the Cannabis Licensing Act 2022, He feels that this is incompatible with the obligations of the aforementioned agreements.

She added: «I therefore have no choice but to reserve assent to the Bill under Article 35(2) of the Constitution and inform the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development.»

Bermuda's Premier, David Burt, had previously warned that failure to give Royal Assent to the legalization of cannabis would »destroy» relations with London. As for Canada, received royal assent for its legalization project on June 21, 2018, a few months before the introduction of regulation.

Ms. Lalgie said, «I hope that Bermudian officials will work together with British officials to find a solution, which will not result in a lifetime criminal record for consumers of small quantities of cannabis and which will unlock business opportunities, while maintaining Bermuda's excellent reputation for respecting the rule of law.»

The Governor added The UK has supported, and is currently helping, certain Crown Dependencies and other overseas territories to develop an approach in line with the relevant conventions.

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda government said: «We have received correspondence from the Governor regarding her decision to reserve sanction of the Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022, In accordance with section 35 (2) of the Constitution, and to notify the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of this decision».»

«We await the position of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development on this issue.»

The Cannabis Licensing Bill was adopted by the Parliament of Bermuda on March 30, but the delay of more than a month in sending it to the governor for review was called 'unusual» by the former prime minister of One Bermuda Alliance, Craig Cannonier, who said he had heard that behind-the-scenes negotiations with London were taking place on the issue.