Cannabis Reform Paper Presented To Minister

Good morning and thank you all for coming.

You will recall that in December 2013, the Ministry of National Security announced that a collobarative group began meeting with the goal of producing a paper on cannabis policy reform.

The Cannabis Reform Collaborative (CRC) was formed after two of its members approached me separately to express their interest in taking part in public consultation announced in the November 2013 Throne Speech on matters related to current cannabis policies.

The two men, Mr. Stratton Hatfield and Mr. Khomeini Taalib-Din were put together and subsequently recruited the remaining members, some of whom are here with us today. Together, the group has experience and varying levels of expertise in activism, law, addictions treatment and drug education.

The group has worked diligently to consult with the public by conducting town hall style meetings, focus groups and an online survey.

The level of public participation, particularly in the number of survey responses received, is indicative of the timeliness of the ongoing discussion of the future of cannabis policies in Bermuda. Undoubtedly, the public’s interest in local cannabis laws has been heightened by policy shifts in foreign jurisdictions related to cannabis use both medically and recreationally.

The paper presented to me today by the CRC will be included in the ongoing policy review by the Ministry of National Security and the Department for National Drug Control.

It will act as springboard for further public consultation on the issue.

Once I have had a chance to read and digest the information, I will share it with my Cabinet colleagues. Cannabis policy in Bermuda is far reaching, affecting our social, health and economic climate and therefore requires a holistic approach to reform. This reform must be done in a measured fashion.

It is intended that the paper will be tabled for the information of the House of Assembly when the House resumes on May 9th. This will give the Government an opportunity to have frank and informed discussion with Honourable Members on the opposite side.

I would like to thank the members of the CRC for the important work they have carried out. The group members all volunteered their expertise and the many hours needed to produce what is sure to be a hefty and comprehensive document.

I look forward to reading it and using the information and recommendations in the development of a modern cannabis policy for Bermuda.

Mr. Stratton Hatfield will now introduce you to some of the members of the CRC and briefly discuss the work they have carried out.

Thank you.

Good morning Bermuda,

On behalf of the CRC, I am pleased to be here today to present our Final Advisory Document to the Minister. The report is titled – An Analysis of Cannabis Reform in Bermuda

Today I want to give thanks to some of the core people who have been involved with this process.

Firstly, thank you to the minister for empowering us to research this topic and bring it to worthy debate in Bermuda. We have worked to provide the facts and recommendations for Government to consider.

Secondly, thank you to the members of the CRC who have remained committed and helped complete our responsibilities to present an extensive report – it has been an absolute pleasure working with everyone.

Thirdly, thank you to the Government and private stakeholders for their cooperation and assistance. Our report would not be as detailed had we not have received your input.

And finally, thank you to the community for embracing the topic of cannabis reform and contributing to our public consultation in its various forms. After all, this topic is something we all need to be involved with.

The topic of Cannabis Reform has been raised for some time in Bermuda yet in the past we haven’t come together to solve this issue, until now. Over the past four months – myself and 9 other concerned citizens have collaborated with each other to endure in a unique and helpful fact finding session.

The CRC have assessed current cannabis policies and legislation in an effort to provide the Government with factual information about the topic of Cannabis Reform. Our document is filled with relevant information that is directly connected to recommendations for consideration.

We have consulted with many portions of the community through various outlets including seven focus groups, radio appearances, interaction on social meadia, a town hall forum, an e-survey which garnered over 1000 responses and individual meetings with dozens of stakeholders including the DNDC, US Consulate, Addiction Counselors, Lawyers, Doctors & Cannabis users. As a volunteer committee we have worked to produce an inclusive overview of cannabis reform, taking into account, and not limited to: health, human rights, cultural and economic perspectives.

Today I wanted to briefly discuss some of the findings of our research:

Cannabis Prohibition isn’t working
Individuals prosecuted and incarcerated for non-violent crime related to cannabis are overwhelming the criminal justice system and negatively impacting people’s lives. Between 2003-2008 there were 2,227 cannabis offences (an average of approximately 370/year), and in the period 2011 – 2012, there were 822 cannabis offences (an average of approximately 411/year),

Furthermore, the criminalization of cannabis has been paralleled with disparity along racial lines in terms of enforcement, sentencing, incarceration and related health issues, all of which contribute greatly to the societal challenges of structural racism.

Total possession charges are majority black males however importation charges are majority black females.

Our research shows that a great number of groups around the globe, such as lawmakers, enforcement officers and medical practitioners as well as civil rights groups have called to dismantle these outdated policies and realign them in the context of human rights and dignity.

There is a demand for more prevention services in Bermuda
In Bermuda, a total of $20.8 million was spent administering our drug plan in 2012. Treatment was the bulk of the cost totaling $12.6 million (60.5%), enforcement cost $7.4 million (35.3%), and prevention $780,000 (3.7%). This shows a demand for Bermuda to focus on more prevention initiatives so as to reduce substance use and the need for expensive treatment.

The prominence of Cannabis as a Medicine should not be ignored.
Cannabis as a medicinal substance is gaining global prominence and there are an overwhelming amount of pre clinical studies supporting the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The community has identified strong interest in the growing medical research and many are seeking more information and access. Based on the amount of diseases and conditions present in Bermuda’s population, hundreds of people could benefit from access to medicinal cannabis and research. Significant shifts in international policy and positions taken by a number of countries offer a range of possibilities in terms of legislative and policy reform options for Bermuda, grounded within an international context.

Our research shows that Bermuda can create a cannabis model that is localized for our community that could:

● Ensure portions of the population are not criminalized due to cannabis supply & use
● Reduce government expenses and redirect funds towards demand reduction
● Provide stronger and broader prevention education initiatives
● Supply treatment for people with cannabis dependence
● Empower people to be more knowledgeable about cannabis uses and effects

There is much to review and discuss out of our 130 page document. We look forward to presenting our final recommendations to the public once the Minister has had a chance to review our report.

Thank You Bermuda and Happy Easter.

Read More About