Questions In UK Parliament On Cannabis Bill

September 27, 2022

“The Foreign Secretary carefully considered the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 and concluded that it is contrary to the UK’s and Bermuda’s obligations under the UN Conventions, which prohibit the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use,” British Minister of State Jesse Norman said.

This follows after Bermuda’s UK appointed Governor declined to provide assent to the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022, in effect, the UK blocked Bermuda’s ability to implement the legislation which passed in the House of Assembly.

During the British Parliament’s session on September 23rd, SNP Chief Whip Owen Thompson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, “if he will make an assessment of the potential constitutional implications of the UK Government not providing assent to the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022.

MP Thompson also asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, “what discussions his Department had with the Government of Bermuda on the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 before announcing that the UK Government would not Assent to the Bill as drafted.”

In response, Minister of State [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] Jesse Norman said, “Bermuda’s constitution provides for the Governor to reserve assent of legislation which do not appear to be compatible with international obligations.

“The Foreign Secretary carefully considered the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 and concluded that it is contrary to the UK’s and Bermuda’s obligations under the UN Conventions, which prohibit the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use.

“The UK is responsible for the Overseas Territories’ compliance with international law, and assent was not therefore given. Prior to the legislation being presented for assent, UK officials offered and continue to make themselves available to the Government of Bermuda to discuss the policy and how the UK can support Bermuda.”

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Comments (18)

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  1. Joe Bloggs says:

    It’s a waste of time. The PLP Government has engineered this “conflict”. The PLP Government wanted us to get to this place so that it has a springboard for independence without a referendum (which would almost certainly yield the same result as in 1995).

  2. Ringmaster says:

    “Prior to the legislation being presented for assent, UK officials offered and continue to make themselves available to the Government of Bermuda to discuss the policy and how the UK can support Bermuda.”

    Unfortunately for Bermuda, such cooperation is not on the agenda of Dictator Burt, who wants a fight with the UK, which he cannot win. Even Jamaica, an independent (if one ignores the control that China has over its economy) country which grows tons of marijuana hasn’t legalized it. Nearly every week there are seizures and arrests.

    • sandgrownan says:

      Bingo. That’s the rub isn’t it. In true Bermudian fashion, the legislation was poorly drafted and was a dogs dinner. Why do you think it didn’t get broad support in the House?

      Burt knows this, and used it to manufacture this friction. Even after the UK offered to help.

      Just more Burt/PLP bullsh*t.

      • Robin Dickson says:

        whether the bill was poorly drafted is irrelevant

        it has been made clear by the UK that the bill was rejected because it violated a UN treaty

        this was not said to Canada when it passed a bill to legalize marijuana

        • sandgrownan says:

          Homework. Go read it, find out exactly why it was rejected.

          And news to me, didn’t realise Canada needed the UK’s permission to enact laws.

          The faux outrage is hilarious.

        • Double s says:

          You actually think Canada is an overseas territory like BDA?

          Just dumb…

        • Tucker says:

          Canada and Australia are Dominions of the commonwealth…have a child explain it to you, so you don’t embarrass yourself so badly, again.

    • Robin says:

      the dictator here is the UK gov’t which won’t allow Bermuda to legalize marijuana

      which Jamaica should also do

      • sandgrownan says:

        See if you can work out why…go on.

      • Tucker says:

        Despite the UK offering to help you pass this legislation…you’re far too racist and ignorant to accept their offer, and this is the result.
        You’re still ignorant.

  3. Glen says:

    So I wonder and please someone correct me if I am wrong and you all read between the lines! Isn’t the United States of America part of this UN?

    • Just be thinking says:

      In the US the Federal Government has not legalised it, only some states

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      The United States is a member of the United Nations. Indeed, it is a member of the Security Council and has a veto over any vote. The United Nations is headquartered in Manhattan, New York City.

      With that said, the United States ignores U.N. resolutions with which it disagrees and refuses to pay its assessed fees to the U.N. As of last year, the United States was in debt to the United Nations to the extent of nearly $2 Billion.

      You tell me, is the U.S. a part of the U.N. or apart from the U.N.?

  4. Newton Adcock says:

    Please help me here,
    Doesn’t our premier listen to a higher power…whose last name begins with the same letter as his, but is a color?
    I beg the premier refute my claim, please premier Burt.

  5. Just be thinking says:

    So the Government & Churches are good with getting stoned, but not for 2 consenting adults of the same sex getting married…

  6. Jus' Askin' says:

    why not remove the law that makes it illegal?

    No Law = No Crime :-D

    • Robin Dickson says:

      the Bermuda gov’t can not legalize it without approval from the UK

      they can’t remove the law that makes pot illegal without
      approval from the UK

      • Tucker says:

        The only reason they \can’t\, is because they don’t want to do it properly. They want a fight, because they’re racists.