One month after decriminalizing cannabis, the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is drafting legislation to legalize recreational and medical marijuana sales.
The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2018, published in the Official Gazette on March 5, amends the Misuse of Drugs Act to state that “a person who is in possession of a maximum of 15 grams of the drug Cannabis or Cannabis resin is not guilty of an offence.”
It also makes it “lawful” to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household and expunges marijuana convictions involving a quantity of 15 grams or less.
The amendment stopped short of legalization, however, as it does not remove legal penalties for the sale of cannabis.
But that also may change soon.
Ryan Johnson, legislative drafter and editor of the government’s Official Gazette, confirmed to Marijuana Business Daily that a new bill is in the works that would permit cannabis sales under certain circumstances.
“Those circumstances have not been fully identified and confirmed as yet because … that legislation is currently being drafted and no final version of that bill is complete thus far,” Johnson said.
A source confirmed that a group from Canada is advising Antigua on the draft legislation, which involves recreational and medical cannabis.
The bill could be brought for consideration in Parliament within the next six months, according to the source, who requested anonymity because this person was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s government won a decisive second term in last month’s general elections, winning 15 of the 17 seats up for grabs, meaning the bill stands a good chance of becoming law once it gains the support of his majority government.
Antigua and Barbuda follow other Caribbean nations down the path to legal medical cannabis.
Jamaica passed the “Ganja Law” in 2015, which made possession of 2 ounces or less of cannabis a ticket-able offense. The law also legalized possession for medical or therapeutic purposes.
Neighboring Cayman Islands approved medical cannabis imports and sales the following year.
Here are the Antigua and Barbuda cannabis laws at a glance:
Anyone older than 18 is allowed to possess a maximum of 15 grams of cannabis.
It is lawful to cultivate up to four plants per household.
Cannabis sales remain illegal.
Smoking marijuana is prohibited in public places, including bars, restaurants and tourist establishments.
Tourist establishments are allowed to set aside “open areas” where guests can smoke cannabis.
Dear oh dear potheads are rejoicing. As if we did not have enough problems in the world with mental illness caused by mind-altering substances. Here we are adding to the problems.
Drivers high on pot, teachers high on pot, bank staff high on pot. etc, etc We are in for a very dysfunctional society.
nah you’re already ‘high’ high on that brainwashed koolaid
Do you dink alcohol or smoke cigarettes or idk…..take Rx Drugs?
That would be nothing new. They are all ‘drunk’ anyway.
This is utter nonsense ,is showing that Antigua is one step ahead of Dominica.This could tourism booster for Dominica,the government of Dominica can do better since there is countries like Saint.Vincent whose legalized this product fully.Tourism plays a big role in Dominica since it is known as the “Nature isle”.In my closing remarks, I hope that the government of our country Dominica will fully legalize this product and I know that this product will successfully booster our tourism sector rather than the sale of passports.
It sad, that we are only following the larger countries. We as the Caribbean should have taken the lead years ago. We criminalized when they did and now we are decriminalising it now they are doing so.
Dominica always first to talk about it and always last to take full advantage of it.
Years ago before ganja was becoming legal in parts of the US like in Colorado, someone suggested that DA become the first Caribbean country to legalize it in preparation for trading when the bigger markets decide to legalize it. What happened? Nothing. Antigua is well ahead now and DA will once again be at the bottom of the pack by the time we see the light. Sad indeed.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. In many cases, they suffer before perishing.
Skerrit dem sitting on their brain, they can’t think that far
Dominicans just don’t get it. Stupes.
Skerrit will never legalize the weed because he needs the majority of Dominicans in a state of abject poverty, so that every election he can bribe and give hand out for votes. Skerrit has made it clear that he is there to stay for life, so he need the votes every election. That simply means that Dominicans must remain poor for the rest of his life. He is not interested in having Dominicans well off, because they will no longer need his handouts, and that will be the end of him.
Imagine how well off Dominicans might get if weed is legalized. Look at St. Vincent.
Allu think Skerrit stupid to legalize weed?? Think Again.
Something is amiss in this story. I have to believe a person is allowed to CARRY as opposed to possess a maximum of 15 grams of cannabis. These are two different things, in that if I have 4 plants, chances are I will have well in excess of 15 grams at my home at any one time. However, I can be restricted in how much I can carry away from my home. But once it is in my possession in my house, I can legally have as much weed as my plants will produce.
Either the article got it wrong, or the legislation opens people up to prosecution for normal production from a marijuana plant.
Makes sense was asking the same thing
” a group from Canada ” no those Canadian laws are too restrictive it should be 100% legal no restrictions smh…
No more excuses. It’s time to do the right thing and follow suit.
The marijuana business is for countries with a very strong Legal and Judicial Systems of Law. Dominica present administration has not shown that they have the capacity to know the difference. When a politician can call the police to tell them who to prosecute and who to let go , this system is not yet ready to legalize such a potent controlled drug.
Do you really not realise that the perception of arbitrary enforcement is an argument FOR legalisation?
potent? on what scale is it potent? how do you gauge it to be labelled as “such a potent drug”. based on what value system? mind your words and how you use them because they have meaning and effect. It these kinds of rhetoric and connotations that cast a dark light on marijuana. marijuana has been safe and mild enough to be administered to toddlers with epilepsy.
Antigua leaps and bounds ahead of Dominica, it not even fair… Nice airport, infrastructure, and populace. But What DA do to deserve laborites nuh boy?
Hey Dominica is beautiful I love it ,so please don’t watch another country and want what they have ,I am an ANTIGUAN, Dominica is just filled with natural beautie and I love it it is unique in its own way
Legal weed or not, Antigua is broke too,…..weed is worth more being illegal……
Dominica needs to get on this movement…this is a Billion Dollar industry. With the Legalization and Decriminalization of Pot, the GOVT can reduce VAT, and implement a POT TAX as an alternative to generating funds to build schools, roads, bridges, continue to provide care for the elderly through it NEP initiative, increase civil servants pay etc… Lets face it, our boys will continue to Plant, Smoke and Export/Import weed, why shouldn’t the country benefit from this market???
Mr Skerrit if you legalize Cannabis i will and definately bring voters to vote for you..Bless?
they like to raise conversation and play around the topic like they down for the cause. But them man there not for the cause. The AG himself has said that he DOES NOT intend to have it decriminalized or legalized in the the foreseeable future. In other words crapaud smoke your pipe on that one. Those guys praise the war on drugs which is fictitious and made up by the US who itself is a major producer of illicit drugs. Other islands are moving towards it, but it is our fear from since the 70’s dread act that have us like monkeys. Scare propaganda and miseducation about marijuana that have us looking foolish and acting like smoking and consuming marijuana is a sin. But the bible itself says the herb is for the use of man. Marijuana is a herb with a multitude of uses. It is the healing of the nation. It can fuel, feed, clothe, medicate, build, textile etc with marijuana.
Real vibes..TRUE.
but mind you it was a hot topic last election and he roped in the marijuana consuming community making them think he was about to make changes. to this day i am waiting on the “structured” debate/ conversation he proposed to have on the topic. To this day. But dont worry, ill be going to antigua more often now. My little money will be spent there when i am on vacation. not here where police still believe that it is the devil that making young people do marijuana and put tatoo on their skin. A police man actually told me that while processing me.
Dominica needs to get on this movement…this is a Billion Dollar industry. With the Legalization and Decriminalization of Pot, the GOVT can reduce VAT, and implement a POT TAX as an alternative to generating funds to build schools, roads, bridges, continue to provide care for the elderly through it NEP initiative, increase civil servants pay etc… Lets face it, our boys will continue to Plant, Smoke and Export/Import weed, why shouldn’t the country benefit from this market???
you know that’s just one of the uses of it, you can make HEMP derived products such as oil, paper, plastics just to name a few. Hemp grows to maturity in a few weeks, also the derived plastics are biodegradable if the so called government wants to be climate resilient what better way to promote a clean and nature loving country with Biodegradable plastics!
Thank you antigua. Fearless in your decision making. No cowardice and hypocrisy in these times. Marijuana is practically legal here in any case. I dont know who they trying to fool.
Legalization will not be without its problems also, mainly theft.
theft? i think the opposite. It will be more available than it already is. there will be no need for theft because of that. Not even in the plantation level. Its like gas, when gas was not available and heavily guarded during maria times gas was like gold. man would line up for gas. but right now, people not checking for hoarding gas anymore business bright. Nobody thinking about stealing gas or other stuff. why because it is available. then again i could be a fool just living in a bubble.
@prophet for a profit – Woe unto any country that legalizes marijuana. Go read up what’s happening in places like Colorado which took the lead in legalizing recreational marijuana.
Somebody needs to investigate who are the COVERT entities operating ‘behind-the-scenes’ pushing for the legalization of marijuana in society and find what exactly is their true endgame. All this talk about health benefits, tax revenue from marijuana is just smoke screen propaganda.
What next? Legalize cocaine because it also has some health benefits eh.
There are other already existing medical treatments to treat those same health problems that the pro-marijuana advocates claim marijuana cures.
Instead of trying to help people overcome their addiction to the drug, so-called enlightened leaders are seeking to facilitate persons worsen their addiction. Roosevelt Skerrit must never legalize that drug…….nor any other future Prime Minister of Dominica.
What happened in Colorado is that there is not state funding for in millions for schools and other social programs which the people of the state is benefiting from. their medical and tourism industries are booming and their population has even increased. But channel 1 i bet you do not even know that the medical industry uses cocaine widely in their practice. for example Novacane is derived from cocaine. Dentists numb your mouth with it. There are lozenges for sore throat made from cocaine sold in any pharmacy. It is practically legal here anyway. Smoked daily around the island even right next to the financial center. whether you make it fully legal or leave it so, it will still be grown and used here in the “Nature Isle” whether you like it or not Channel 1
now state funding…* (instead of not)
Skerro, when things get a little less busy from post Maria problems it’s your turn in the region to decriminalize it.
Certainly agreed. Antigua is literally cashing in, also making it part of their tourism product. Smart!