AG: ‘The Government Will Not Be Deterred’
“Public support for this progressive initiative cannot be ignored notwithstanding the rejection of the Bill by the Opposition Senators and the Senators appointed by the Governor,” Attorney General Kathy Lynn Simmons said, adding that “the Government will not be deterred”
She was speaking after the Cannabis Licensing Bill was defeated in the Senate yesterday by a vote of 6 to 5, with all five PLP Senators voting for it, and the three OBA and three Independents voting against it.
90 second audio of the vote in the Senate
The Attorney-General said, “Yesterday the Cannabis Licensing Bill 2021, which was developed after the most extensive public consultation exercise in recent memory, was defeated in the Senate after being approved by the people’s elected representatives in the House of Assembly.
“Public support for this progressive initiative cannot be ignored notwithstanding the rejection of the Bill by the Opposition Senators and the Senators appointed by the Governor.
“The Government will not be deterred from taking the bold steps necessary to ensure economic opportunity for marginalized groups, appropriate safeguards and effective prevention education associated with the proposed regulated cannabis licensing regime.
“What this Government will not do is to allow the status quo, which does not reflect the people’s wishes, to remain – we will continue to press on.”
Christ, what a petulant response.
Draft something better, and it will pass.
You are asking clowns to write legislation.
They dont know how to draft decent legislation. This one is particularly bad and her whiny response does nothing.
Guess what Kathy, to quote the illustrious Cornel – “We don’t care what you think.”
I just want to say having read the ludicrous proposals made to the house by those who advocate this legalizing movement. AT NO TIME NOW OR IN THE FUTURE WILL SMOKING OF ANY KIND BE ALLOWED. IT IS MY RIGHT TO HAVE A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT AT LEAST ON MY PROPERTY. IF YOU WISH TO SMOKE ANYTHING PERIOD THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND ACCOMADATION WHICH YOU CAN INDULGE TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT.
You connected to Belco, do you drive an internal combustion powered car, you cut your lawn? Stop contributing to poisoning us all for your comfort, disconnect your electricity, park the car and let the grass grow wild. PS cancer stick smoking is allowed.
Don’t panic ! I hardly think anyone’s going to be beating a path to your door to indulge in a smoke. That’s more the technique of closet crack heads living a double life.
What part /percentage of the public have you surveyed? Stop saying Public Support. I haven’t been asked nor voted as to whether I support it or not. I’m quite sure the majority of the populace hasn’t.
10 points!!
I understand the Government saying it is what the people want but it’s not what all the people want so you cannot be bias to one side to have to take both sides views into consideration, which is what I believe the ones opposing it are doing. Having dealt with and currently dealing with family member who are substance abusers this has to be very carefully thought through. at the end of the day it is not going to generate that many jobs so lets be real about why the Governemnt really wants to get this bill passed.
The PLP Government is playing to a core group of their supporters. Let them have their “Donald Trump” moment and perhaps the truth will win out next week.
Surely some people in government are already spaced on the fumes of their own rhetoric. Since when did the majority electorate agree to the approval of a cannibus bill? Even some elected members and ministers do not agree to the proposed legislation. The arrogance of some is incomprehensible.
This bill is too conservative. Be progressive PLP!! This can’t be just about making money and creating opportunity for under the table deals. The people want to personally enjoy cannabis without having to jump through so many hoops. Jeeze
Britain wouldn’t even allow only medical use in BVI, personal use wasn’t even on their proposal, or our original proposal either.
You know this is the Governments silver bullet that and the push for entrepreneurship is to widen the tax base for the government coffers. My question is when people who get caught up and end up on some form of welfare how will this in the long term save government money….
LOL
Draft better legislation then Burt. What you lot came up with was obviously not what was needed. It didn’t even give you your fight with the UK it was so bad.
What about the NON-SUPPORTING public majority?
The PLP were elected by about one third of the registered voters. That means two thirds did not support them. Hardly a resounding result to say the legislation is what the people want. How many of the one third do not support it? Not so long ago gambling and drugs were off limits because the church lobby was too powerful. What has changed?
Why doesn’t Bernews do one of their public surveys to find out what the average Bermudian thinks of this Cannabis Bill, or how they feel about the legalizing, growing and distribution of cannabis.
“Public support for this progressive initiative cannot be ignored notwithstanding the rejection of the Bill by the Opposition Senators and the Senators appointed by the Governor,” Attorney General Kathy Lynn Simmons said, adding that “the Government will not be deterred”
That’s right, blame the Governor and the Senators she appoints!
What the people want is simple and what the PLP have suggested is far from simple and creates a ridiculous amount of bureaucracy and opens up doors for cronyism.
Excellent. When one path…the Senate fails….turn to another swiftly.
Good!!
Does anyone else notice the change from “Independent Senators” to “Senators appointed by the Governor”, thus calling into question their independence and integrity. The anti-UK, anti-Governor rhetoric is in ramping up sharply.
A government in continuous election mode .
A perfect blend of lies , stirring the pot and keeping ‘em angry.
A recipe for success since 1998.
“stirring the pot”
Really?
It would be funny if these clowns weren’t in charge. It’s about the only thing that is transparent about them.
She ought to be ashamed of herself
What a bunch of lies out of the mouth of the AG! First of all, you DO NOT have public support! Prove that the PLP has the public’s support. Every person I have spoken to about this bill greatly opposes it. Additionally, I have not been asked for my opinion, nor has anyone else I know. This is totally made up. And second, for the AG to actually make the statement that this bill “was developed after the most extensive public consultation exercise in recent memory” is unconscionable! Doctors and counselors were NEVER consulted, they were told, that’s a huge difference. Lies, lies and more lies. It really is highly entertaining to watch the PLP squirm when they don’t get their way! Oh well guys, back to the drawing board as the saying goes. I guess you’ll have to come up with another way of lining the pockets of F&F with cash at the expense of the Bermuda taxpayers.
And the quack Dr. on the Govt. side should stop talking out of his rhymes with gas.
“What a bunch of lies out of the mouth of the AG!”
That is an unfortunate comment to make about the Government’s top legal advisor
More dope smoking = more dopes.
With all due respect, AG, this is not (all of) the people’s will and you know it.
It is such a shame to have a government that sees no problem with trying to pass an act that will turn more and more of our young adults into potheads.
Is this what we have come to as a nation? Telling our young men that this ganja “entrepreneurial” life is their best way out of economic hardship? Can we please stop normalizing the thug life?!?
Kudos to Senator Joan Dillas-Wright for voting against this travesty; Someone in the medical field with actual knowledge of the devastating effects that cannabis has on the brain.
Dr. Peet’s vote for this bill is a great disappointment. For a Doctor With years of experience in substance abuse treatment, his vote is a slap in the face to all substance abuse victims and their families who have to go through hell to see themselves and their loved ones get help and healing.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks
Up in smoke…