Changes coming to cannabis laws, PM says

The government will begin expunging the records of those convicted for possession of small amounts of marijuana next year, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced today.

Minnis said the government is also reviewing the possible legalization of a hemp industry.

“We will report back to the nation following greater public consultation. He said a hemp industry would include variations of cannabis low in THC,” he said.

The prime minister added that Bahamian-owned or majority Bahamian-owned companies must and will lead any new hemp industry in The Bahamas.

This update comes months after the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana, in its preliminary report, recommended the legalization of medical marijuana and the decriminalization of the possession of up to one ounce of the substance. That report also noted that more data needs to be explored to enable the commission to come to a consensus on whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Minnis said today that the Economic Recovery Committee has recommended the full legalization for marijuana for medicinal, religious and recreational purposes couple with an appropriate regime that oversees production, sales and export.

“Our cannabis laws are outdated, and as our society is changing, they too will change,” Minnis said.

“A global legal cannabis market is already in the billions of dollars with significant projected growth in the years to come.”

Minnis tabled the executive summary of the ERC report in the House of Assembly. Aside from recommended changes to the marijuana laws, it also recommended the government increase funding to small businesses, among other things.

Minnis said government will provide $250 million to Bahamian businesses over the next five years.

The ERC was formed in May and charged by the prime minister to compile recommendations that are executable within the medium to short term toward the restructuring of the economy.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/changes-coming-to-cannabis-laws-pm-says/