Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis introduced on Monday his help for a collection of payments geared toward legalizing hashish for medical and spiritual functions and decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of hashish.
Addressing Parliament, Davis endorsed the measures designed to manage the cultivation, sale, and use of marijuana and associated merchandise inside the nation’s borders, emphasizing the well being and security of Bahamians.
“For years, Bahamians have referred to as for an administration to have the braveness to step up and take this subject on in a decisive and accountable method,” Davis acknowledged. “Whereas many different nations, together with nations inside our area like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and Barbados, have taken steps towards decriminalization and legalization for medical use, Bahamians had been left questioning when it could be our flip to modernize our native strategy to hashish.”
Davis famous that nationwide dialogue on this subject has been ongoing for almost a decade, with important progress marked by the Marijuana Fee’s preliminary report in January 2020 and its ultimate report in August 2021. The Fee’s analysis indicated widespread public help for the legalization of hashish for medical functions.
“It was clear that the instances had modified, and it was time for our legal guidelines to alter as nicely,” Davis mentioned. “At this time, the wait is over. We’re taking motion on behalf of the entire individuals who merely wished the flexibility to legally devour medical hashish to assist them with their medical situations.”
– Commercial –
Davis highlighted that the federal government is performing to assist these burdened with prison information for carrying small quantities of hashish, aiming to expunge these information and stop future criminalization.
“After all, as a part of this reform course of, we’re additionally taking motion to acknowledge the rights and freedoms of Rastafarians to make use of hashish as a sacrament,” Davis added. “It shouldn’t be in opposition to the legislation for our brothers and sisters of the Rastafarian religion to apply their faith.”
Hashish to deliver financial advantages
He additionally mentioned the financial potential of a regulated marijuana trade, which may create 1000’s of jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, retail, dispensary services, and healthcare, contributing considerably to financial diversification.
Keep within the Loop. Get the most recent with our E-newsletter
The proposed Hashish Invoice (2024) seeks to authorize the manufacturing, analysis, possession, and use of hashish for medical and spiritual functions, set up qc, cut back unlawful hashish actions, management entry to guard public well being, and lift consciousness concerning the well being dangers related to hashish use.
A key part of the invoice is the institution of The Bahamas Hashish Authority, which can oversee the protected and environment friendly manufacturing, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of marijuana. The authority will subject licenses for numerous cannabis-related actions, together with cultivation, retail, analytical testing, manufacturing, analysis, transport, and spiritual use.
The invoice mandates Bahamian possession for entities making use of for licenses to domesticate, promote, or transport hashish, making certain 100% Bahamian possession. For licenses associated to analytical testing, manufacturing, or analysis, entities should be at the very least 30% Bahamian-owned.
Davis pressured the significance of involving Bahamians within the burgeoning hashish trade, each by way of possession and analysis and growth, to maximise the advantages for the native economic system.
Associated: Antigua moves to clear minor cannabis convictions
