Bermuda publishes its proposal for the legalization of cannabis

The Government of Bermuda has published the draft legislation which aims to regulate the market of the cannabis in this autonomous British overseas territory.

«Surprising to some, public attitudes have evolved rapidly with global legislative reforms and recognize that adding new economic opportunities and activities is necessary,» said Attorney General Kathy Simmons in a video about the proposal.

By virtue of of the bill, Under the new law, adults aged 21 and over will be able to possess and purchase up to seven grams of cannabis from authorized retailers.

A regulatory body called Cannabis Advisory Authority would be responsible for issuing licenses and regulating the market. There would be seven types of license available: cultivation, retail, research, import, export, transport and manufacturing.

License fees would be set to both stimulate the territory's economy while ensuring that they are not prohibitively expensive for «underserved and marginalized communities», according to a summary of the bill.

People with previous cannabis convictions would not be prevented from participating in the industry, and offences for possession of seven grams or less would be erased.

Last year, legislators in Bermuda have unveiled a bill to create a medical cannabis program. Public comments indicated that people felt the bill imposed excessive regulations and that the territory should legalize cannabis more widely for adult use.

The government is again inviting public comment until July 3 on cannabis for adult use. On its website, citizens are invited to give their opinion on seven specific questions.

Premier David Burt, who last year pledged to legalize cannabis, has also encouraged individuals to weigh in on the proposed regulations.

Back in October, I stated that my Caucus voted to introduce a regulated Cannabis regime in #Bermuda shorts. The @BdaGovernment has now published the draft policy & bill for feedback from the public.

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts by July 3rd.https://t.co/kkGtsuQ1ES

- Premier David Burt (@BermudaPremier) June 5, 2020

Several Caribbean countries have begun to reform cannabis laws. In 2018, the leaders of 19 Caribbean countries to «review the current status of cannabis with a view to reclassification, emphasizing the issues of «human and religious rights» arising from criminalization as well as «the economic benefits to be derived» from legalization.

Since then, Saint-Chrisophe-et-Nievès has decriminalized cannabis and announced that they would soon be presenting a legalization bill. Trinidad and Tobago has tabled two bills, one to decriminalize possession and the other to legalize cannabis for medical and religious purposes. Visit U.S. Virgin Islands legalize medical cannabis and announced want to legalize cannabis. The Jamaican government has also widely opened up its medical industry and now makes it possible to buy cannabis online.