NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is still in the preliminary stages of crafting how a cannabis industry in The Bahamas would be executed.
During an Office of the Prime Minister press conference on Thursday, Director of Communications Latrae Rahming said the Davis administration has only outlined its public policy for legislation before the end of the year.
“We are in the initial stage,” he said.
“The commitment we have is wanting to see that legislative framework comes to Parliament this year.”
The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) presented the former administration with a final report on the viewpoint of Bahamians on the issue.
It stopped short of recommending the legalization of recreational marijuana, stating that the issue needs to be explored further before a consensus can be garnered.
The Minnis administration had drafted legislation for the regulation of a local cannabis industry, including a proposed Medicinal Cannabis Bill, 2021, and the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Rahming noted that whatever the former administration started will be the basis of the government’s legislation move.
“There is a consensus that policy review or policy guideline that becomes beneficial to the Bahamian people,” he said.
“That would be something that we would be encouraged to look at and to see how best it saves the policy interest as well as opportunities of those who would be participating.
“Governments are continuous. When research is done, that is a part of the foundation for which we proceed with public policy implementation.”
Rahming’s comment comes as the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) signaled that it is prepared to stand against the Davis administration’s marijuana legalization agenda.
BCC President Bishop Delton Fernander has charged that the government’s venture into the industry comes without proper consultation.
But Rahming said the government will meet with a number of stakeholders to determine consultation and feedback on the policy and how it will impact consumers and businesses.
“We have a healthy dialogue with the Christian community”, he said.
“To suggest that this process is way in its final stage will be an incorrect assessment.”
The BCC supports medicinal use of marijuana, but opposes its recreational use and the legalization of the drug.
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