ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder has said that draft legislation to govern a cannabis industry in The Bahamas is expected before Cabinet sometime this month.
Mr Pinder said there has been a slight delay as Cabinet was slated to receive the draft last month. However, he did not explain what led to the setback.
“We are just a couple weeks delayed on that,” Mr Pinder told reporters yesterday. “I promised by the end of March. By the end of this week, I hope to have the full benchmark and comments on the legislation that the former administration had attempted to do and then we’ll formulate that through law reform and get that in front of Cabinet.
“We’re probably looking at April to get in front of Cabinet.”
The government said it would introduce a “regulatory framework” for the cannabis industry and expunge the records of young people convicted of minor offences related to use of the drug as part of its five-year legislative agenda.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, while in opposition, expressed full support for both issues and said back in 2020 the Minnis administration should have already addressed the matter of legalising marijuana and expunging the records of people convicted for possessing small amounts.
In January, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said he was of the view that the Family Islands would be ideal to support a cannabis industry.
In a statement at the time, the minister said many Bahamians were already looking for agricultural land to support the growth of cannabis.
His strong support for the industry followed confirmation by Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, that the Davis administration intended to table draft legislation for the legalisation of cannabis in the first quarter of this year.
Comments
tribanon 2 years, 1 month ago
This stupid arse just won't come out and say that the corrupt and incompetent Davis and Cooper led PLP administration is first waiting to see if the U.S. Senate passes an upcoming vote to legalize marijuana induced schizophrenia at the Federal level in the U.S.
And the cartel of automobile insurers in The Bahamas are looking forward to justifying significant increases in automobile and heavy equipment accident insurance rates with all the potheads that will be driving on our roads and operating various kinds of heavy equipment. But our dumb arse AG Pinder is not going to say anything about the many types of additional costs that will come our way as a result of this proposed legislation.
And many studies show we can expect a huge leap in the number of young schizophrenics in our society because their developing brains are especially vulnerable to permant mental illness induced by the heavy usage of many of the stronger types of marijuana available today. We need a cannabis industry like we need a hole in the head!
Topdude 2 years, 1 month ago
I often disagree with Tribanon but this is one time that I do agree with him. Quiet as it is kept our country will also be overrun with stoned tourists. And the concern about violence in the schools and neighborhoods will just be talk.
It has been documented that this is a dangerous drug. It will destroy our country. So sad.
carltonr61 2 years, 1 month ago
Cannabis normalization is not cannibis appitization. In fact if you listen to the side effects of most synthetic medications sever health illness or death could be the end result. Regulation is trajectory according to age. Definitely as is contemporary any and all young age below 20 experianent as a result of peer influence. The educational component and public health warnings currently just do not exist. The whole endo-cannabinoid natural neurotransmitter system built into the brain for pain, stress, anciety,depression, joy and reward are based on chemicals and receptors that throw us this way or that way. The chemical composition of THC/CDM in phyto- plant based Cannabinol on neuroreceptors in the brain for pain relief, calmness, relaxation, daily stressers, Post Traumatic Stess, happens to be healthier than pharmaceutical chemicals. Synthetic pharmaceutical Cannabis is unregulated and sometimes underground and cannot be detected easily. To high a level of THC could open up mental illnesses. Longitudinal whole nation data on Cannabis use and mental illness as opposed to just poor neighborhood data presents a more balanced data spread. Like most addictions especially food and chocolates pain and discomfort are associated with withdrawals from a behavior or substance. Adults living with depression and chronic physical pains should have have the right to choose without fear of being evil and stigmatized.
Topdude 2 years, 1 month ago
This is a whole bunch of crap, nonsense and confusion. This rant is an example of someone who is stoned. A clear example of why to legalize this drug is to confirm our descent into the doldrums of progress.
carltonr61 2 years, 1 month ago
Ahh well. I do have multiple levels of evidence based Cannabis Certifications. Guess the world is indeed high to teach such crap. But CBD oils are already prescribed here in The Bahamas for muscle inflammation and relaxation around nerves. Maybe you should inquire at your local health store.
hrysippus 2 years, 1 month ago
No one should be surprised at the ignorance and prejudice displayed in one or two of these comments. They seem very happy to let those suffering from conditions that can be alleviated by allowing medical doctors the right to prescribe CBD to continue their suffering. The real hierocracy though is that these same commentators probably consume daily refined white sugar which results in the death of thousands annually, probably uses an OTC pain killer pill which pharmaceutical use also kills thousands every year, Just possibly they even enjoy an alcoholic drink such as a beer or glass of wine occasionally; once again use of this drug kills thousands every year. And how many people have died from using medically prescribed cannabis? That's correct; none. Sigh.
tribanon 2 years, 1 month ago
You've got it all wrong my friend, but many of us probably know why.
hrysippus 2 years, 1 month ago
If I have any of my assertions then please tell us. But first just google this question; How many people die each year from non prescription over the counter pain killers? Acetorphan, aspirin, paracetamols, etc.?
tribanon 2 years, 1 month ago
LOL. I haven't used google search or any other google apps for well over a decade now.
hrysippus 2 years, 1 month ago
Should read: If I have any of my assertions wrong.....
Topdude 2 years, 1 month ago
The next drug on the agenda will be the excrement from the back of toads and frogs. You stone heads will do or say anything the justify the use of a dangerous drug documented to destroy millions of lives after first causing the users to become nonproductive, demotivated and sexually promiscuous. It is so unfortunate that the real evidence is being perverted to accommodate those who seek to destroy our society. What a crying shame.
carltonr61 2 years, 1 month ago
According to PAHO data cannabis is available throughout The Bahamas. The problems created by prohibition destroyed millions of young lives in the legal system for no fault of their own. The fight to choice as an adult and be denied basic human rights is finally being universally accepted. It is so perverted go cast scorn with zero evidence data just pyre 100% discrimination and bigotry against Marijuana. Sugar with salt both of which are the leading causes of human death are not vilified so it is ok go suffer death through diabetes and debilitating strokes. Both of which are leading causes of death and should be made illegal. Marijuana will put your body and mind to calmness but it is illegal for those under 21 years of age where the lifestyle harms precipitates developmental harms of sleeping your life away resulting in non full human potential and productivity. A great loss without laws to prohibit use under 21 years of age. Alternatives to Marijuana is tiring fatigue causing exercise for the body to release the same endorphins.
hrysippus 2 years, 1 month ago
I had to laugh when I read Topdud's comment; " the use of a dangerous drug documented to destroy millions of lives". So I looked it up and there it was on the QANON site right next to how Mexico has paid for trumpit's wall and Venezuela hacked the US voting machines. So it must be true. Sigh.
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