Bermuda official signals move toward recreational marijuana legalization

Six months after Bermuda’s Parliament decriminalized small amounts of cannabis, a government official indicated the island nation might further liberalize marijuana use.

Michael Weeks, minister of social development, said the cabinet is set to take up a discussion document on drug use in the coming weeks, according to The Royal Gazette newspaper.

“Legalization is something that’s going to have to be talked about and may have to be sooner rather than later,” Weeks told the newspaper. “There’s an almost worldwide trend.”

The Misuse of Drugs (Decriminalisation of Cannabis) Amendment Act 2017 removed criminal offenses for simple possession of 7 grams or less of cannabis.

The law did not erase prior criminal cannabis convictions.

Medical cannabis is legal in Bermuda, and the Gazette reported that two doctors have been licensed to prescribe the drug.

Other Caribbean nations have legalized medical cannabis use in recent years – or announced plans to.

Antigua and Barbuda is drafting legislation to legalize recreational and medical marijuana sales.

Jamaica passed the “Ganja Law” in 2015, which legalized possession of cannabis for medical or therapeutic purposes and made possession of 2 ounces or less a ticketable offense.

Neighboring Cayman Islands approved medical cannabis imports and sales in 2016.

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