Hashtag: #DecriminalizationOfMarijuana

UK Parliament: Q&A On Cannabis Laws

UK Parliament: Q&A On Cannabis Laws

“The UK is committed to working in partnership with Bermuda and we remain available to discuss new proposals on this legislation,” the British Parliamentary Under-Secretary said when asked about decriminalisation of possession of cannabis in Bermuda. During a recent session in the British Parliament,  Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell... Read more of this article

Governor Will Not Give Assent To Cannabis Bill

Governor Will Not Give Assent To Cannabis Bill

[Updated] “I have now received an instruction, issued to me on Her Majesty’s behalf, not to Assent to the Bill as drafted,” Governor Rena Lalgie said today in reference to the Cannabis Bill. Background In May this year, the Governor confirmed that she will “reserve Assent” of the Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022, adding that she will... Read more of this article

OBA: Seems A ‘Smoke Screen’ For Independence

OBA: Seems A ‘Smoke Screen’ For Independence

[Updated] The Cannabis legislation “appears to be a smoke screen for the PLP Government’s real agenda, which is to build a case for independence,” Opposition Leader Cole Simons said, with Mr Simons asking if the PLP Government is “intentionally orchestrating a real case for their own political endgame for Independence.” Mr... Read more of this article

MPs Pass Cannabis Licensing Act Legislation

MPs Pass Cannabis Licensing Act Legislation

The Cannabis Licensing Act 2022 — which will allow for the regulated growth and sale of cannabis — has passed in the House of Assembly and after going to the Senate it is expected to be sent to the Governor. The Act was originally passed in the House of Assembly back in February 2021, however failed to pass on the Senate in March 2021 which... Read more of this article

Martha Dismont On Cannabis Legislation

Martha Dismont On Cannabis Legislation

Martha Dismont has offered her thoughts on the possibility of the island legalizing cannabis, saying “I pray that this is given more thought.” Martha Dismont, Managing Director for Catalyst Consulting, said, “Bermuda’s social challenges have increased over the past 20 years, in part due to the pipeline that is fueling uneducated, unskilled,... Read more of this article

OBA: Nothing Has Changed, Remains Bad Bill

OBA: Nothing Has Changed, Remains Bad Bill

“The PLP’s corporate cannabis bill was rejected by Parliament only one year ago, yet Premier Burt is now bringing back the very same bill, yet again, no matter what you say,” Shadow Attorney-General Scott Pearman said, adding that “nothing has changed and this remains a bad bill.” Mr Pearman said, “Time and time again this... Read more of this article

Cannabis Licensing Act Will Be Reintroduced

Cannabis Licensing Act Will Be Reintroduced

The Cannabis Licensing Act — which passed in the House of Assembly in February 2021 however failed in the Senate in March 2021 – “will be reintroduced in the House of Assembly,” the Government said. This is according to a new webpage — Gov.bm/economicrecovery-updates — the Government has released that shows the... Read more of this article

Apply To Erase Convictions For Under 7 Grams

Apply To Erase Convictions For Under 7 Grams

A new online form has been launched for people to apply for an expungement order to erase criminal conviction records for the offence of ‘simple possession of cannabis of 7 grams or less’, for offences committed before December 20th, 2017, Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons said. Speaking in the House of Assembly today [March 12], the Attorney... Read more of this article

AG: ‘The Government Will Not Be Deterred’

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... Read more of this article

Audio: Cannabis Licence Act Defeated In Senate

Audio: Cannabis Licence Act Defeated In Senate

[Updated] The Senate is in session today [March 3] and they are scheduled to debate the Cannabis Licensing Act, with the bill having already passed in the House of Assembly. There are eleven Senators — five PLP, three OBA and three Independents — and OBA Senate Leader Ben Smith has confirmed to Bernews that “the OBA Senate team will... Read more of this article

SJB Response To Cannabis Licensing Act

SJB Response To Cannabis Licensing Act

In advance of the debate in the Senate today [March 3] on the Cannabis Licensing Act, the Social Justice Bermuda Cannabis Reform Taskforce sent an open letter to the Senate, Attorney-General and Ministry of Legal Affairs & Constitutional Reform. The SJB Cannabis Reform Taskforce’s open letter follows below: Dear President of the Senate,... Read more of this article

PLP: Cannabis Bill Heads To Senate, Governor

PLP: Cannabis Bill Heads To Senate, Governor

Noting that legislation to regulate and license activities involving cannabis “passed the House of Assembly without objection,” the PLP has urged the “Senate to pass the legislation and for the Governor to give her Royal Assent.” A PLP spokesperson said, “On Friday, landmark legislation set to regulate and license all... Read more of this article

Audio: Premier On UK, Assent, Cannabis Bill

Audio: Premier On UK, Assent, Cannabis Bill

“If Her Majesty’s representative in Bermuda does not give assent to something that has been passed lawfully and legally under this local government, this will destroy the relationship that we had with the United Kingdom,” Premier David Burt said, adding that he expects “the UK government will listen to the democratic voice of... Read more of this article

Audio, Updates: MPs Pass Cannabis Licence Bill

Audio, Updates: MPs Pass Cannabis Licence Bill

[Updating] Members of Parliament are debating the Cannabis Licensing Act today [Feb 19] in the House of Assembly and you can tune in and listen live below. Speaking at this week’s press briefing, Premier Burt said, “This legislation is in keeping with the Government’s election platform pledge to develop a regulated domestic cannabis industry... Read more of this article

Regulatory And Licensing System For Cannabis

Regulatory And Licensing System For Cannabis

“The vast majority of our caucus supports this bill, and I have no doubt that it will pass the House of Assembly tomorrow,” Premier David Burt said in advance of the debate on the cannabis bill in the House of Assembly on Friday [Feb 19]. A PLP spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party pledged in its 2020 election platform to... Read more of this article

MPs To Debate Cannabis Legislation This Friday

MPs To Debate Cannabis Legislation This Friday

“This Friday the Government will also debate cannabis legislation that was tabled in the House of Assembly by the Attorney General in December,” Premier David Burt said. Speaking at this week’s press briefing, Premier Burt said, “This Friday the Government will also debate cannabis legislation that was tabled in the House of Assembly by... Read more of this article