Grenada legalizes personal use of cannabis

The Parliament of Grenada has approved amendments to the bill Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2026, which decriminalizes cannabis for adults, while laying the foundations for a future medical cannabis and hemp industry.

This reform marks a change of direction, The bill moved from a punitive ban to a framework based on public health, social justice and economic considerations. Although the debates revealed differences over age limits and social impact, the legislation ultimately received bipartisan support.

Authorizations for possession, cultivation and prohibition of public consumption

The new legislation allows adults to own up to 56 grams of cannabis and 15 grams of cannabis resin. She is also releasing the domestic culture of penalization, authorizing up to four plants per household for private use, whether for medical or horticultural purposes.

However, the reform does not mean total legalization. Public consumption remains prohibited, with fixed penalties, including restrictions near schools and public buildings. Officials made it clear that the bill did not create a recreational market.

«Our decriminalization policy will be accompanied by strict regulations to protect young people, as well as by a vigorous public education campaign and a severe crackdown on driving under the influence of drugs. Medical use remains controlled, and recreational use is not permitted under this bill. The government is putting health and safety ahead of short-term economic gain,» said Phillip Telesford, Minister of Health and Head of Government of Grenada.

Minimum age set at 21 after parliamentary debate

One of the points of contention was the legal age for cannabis possession. The Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell acknowledged that he was initially in favor of setting the minimum age at 18, the age of civil responsibility in Grenada.

«There was a heated debate, we went back and forth... if you're an adult, you're an adult, 18 is 18, we recognize 18, you can drive, you can vote, you can get married, so from my point of view, you should be allowed at 18 if you want to, but I was in the minority,» Mitchell told Parliament.

He added that expert opinion had ultimately influenced his decision: «So I graciously defer to the medical experts, the mental health experts who recognize that at 18, the brain is still developing.»

Under the amended law, only adults aged 21 and over can legally possess cannabis.

Rastafarian rights and social justice measures included

The bill affirms the constitutional right of Rastafari communities to have a sacramental use of cannabis in registered places of worship and at designated religious events, with cultivation permits.

The legislation also introduces social justice provisions radicals, including the’automatic deletion of criminal record for certain minor cannabis-related offences. Ongoing court cases involving small quantities will also be dropped.

While adults have limited legal access, protection measures for minors remain strict. The supply of cannabis to anyone under the age of 21 carries severe penalties. For people aged between 18 and 20 found in possession of cannabis, the law replaces criminal prosecution with a fine. compulsory rehabilitation and psychological support, guaranteeing that no criminal records will be created.

«Grenada is one of the last jurisdictions to commit today to the decriminalization of cannabis and, ultimately, the creation of a medical cannabis industry,» said Attorney General Claudette Joseph, The new law also stipulates that cannabis will remain a controlled substance, with clearly defined offences and enforcement mechanisms.

Towards a regulatory framework for medical cannabis

Although the bill focuses on decriminalization, it establishes the legal basis for a regulated medical cannabis sector. The government plans to develop a comprehensive national cannabis policy within three to six months, covering cultivation, processing, research and medical use.

With this reform, Grenada joins a growing number of Caribbean countries that are readjusting their cannabis laws, following a joint decision to legalize cannabis in one way or another.