ACTION NOT IMITATION: Former GG believes The Bahamas waited too long to move on marijuana regulation

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —  As the United States seeks to legalize marijuana on a federal level, former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes said yesterday that it is unfortunate that The Bahamas has moved so slowly to take swift action on marijuana in the country. On April 1, the United States House of Representatives passed the Marijuana […]

AT THE BEGINNING?: Govt still in initial stages of planning marijuana regulatory regime

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 […]

CANNABIS PUSHBACK: Christian Council against govt’s marijuana plans; FNM calls for more details first

Fernander suggests legalization bid a “special interest movement”  Opposition leader maintains no support for recreational marijuana  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Bishop Delton Fernander said yesterday that the organization is prepared to stand against the Davis administration’s marijuana legalization agenda. Fernander’s comments come after Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island […]

GREEN FARMING: Family Islands ideal for cannabis industry, says agriculture minister

Eleuthera, Andros, Abaco & GB identified as potential locations Sweeting: NP doesn’t have enough agricultural land to farm to what the industry can be NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Family Islands would be ideal to support the country’s cannabis industry once legalized, according to Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting.  Sweeting said: […]

WHAT ABOUT THE RASTAS?: Lack of Rastafarian inclusion in FNM and PLP manifestos criticized by community

House of Rastafari calls on incoming govt to empower Rastafarian community in marijuana industry “It is time that the government of The Bahamas recognize the Rastafari faith” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The House of Rastafari (HOR) Inter-Mansion Collective yesterday reproached both major political parties for failing to include consideration of the Rastafarian community in their political […]

MANDATE FULFILLED: Final report on marijuana legalization coming “shortly” as commission’s tenure ends

“The contributions that we will make to the discourse…hopefully will be instructive to those who see fit to use it” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana’s (BNCM) mandate ended last month, said Co-Chairman Quinn McCartney, who indicated he is pleased with what it managed to accomplish in its tenure. Cabinet approved the […]

A GREEN BAHAMAS?: National security minister says he foresees a Bahamas with legalized marijuana

Residents express mixed views on legalization for recreational use NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday he can “absolutely envision” a future where marijuana is legalized in the country. “That’s the way the world is moving, but after having said that, we have to be responsible in our approach to it,” […]

ANOTHER MAJOR DRUG BUST: 7,000 marijuana plants valued at $7M seized on GB

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS — On Friday, police on Grand Bahama intercepted and seized a marijuana cultivation site of marijuana plants valuing some seven million dollars. According to reports, officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit acting on information went to the site, situated between acres of undeveloped land located approximately three miles north of Grand Bahama […]

OWN IT: Major support for 100% Bahamian-owned cannabis industry, survey finds

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —  The majority of respondents surveyed in a recent Public Domain poll supported Bahamians having 100 percent ownership in cannabis cultivation, production and distribution. The survey, obtained by Eyewitness News, was conducted as part of the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana’s (BNCM) work to gauge the opinions of residents on cannabis and its related […]

HAVE MERCY: Survey reveals most Bahamians feel marijuana penalties too harsh

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The legal ramifications for people convicted of cannabis possession are too harsh in The Bahamas, according to 62 percent of respondents surveyed in a recent Public Domain poll. The survey, obtained by Eyewitness News, was conducted as part of The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana’s (BNCM) work to gauge the opinions of residents […]

“VERY SERIOUS AND TROUBLING MATTER”: Officials hone in on trend of marijuana edibles in schools

Eleuthera students get sick after eating marijuana-laced cookies shipped from NP Former health minister: Discussion on decriminalization of marijuana does not apply to minors NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following another incident of students ingesting marijuana edibles on Thursday, education officials said they are closely monitoring what may be a new trend. Police said several students on […]

Seven kids hospitalized after consuming weed-infused treats at school; teen taken into custody

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — At least seven students from S C McPherson Junior High School were taken to hospital on Wednesday after consuming marijuana edibles brought to school by another student, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle confirmed yesterday. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Rolle said: “Four children were taken to the hospital by ambulance from […]

AG: Cabinet appointed subcommittee to review marijuana legislation

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Cabinet of The Bahamas has appointed a subcommittee to review marijuana legislation in other jurisdictions, said Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Bethel noted that that subcommittee will be seeking expert advice from around the Caribbean region and Canada in order to advance the matter. He said he […]

Marijuana survey shows Bahamians moving away from traditional views

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) has completed its survey codifying the views of Bahamians on the legalization of cannabis in the country. BNCM Chairman Quinn McCartney told Eyewitness News yesterday that the committee met and discussed the findings with Public Domain, a Bahamian market research firm commissioned to conduct the […]

UN commission removes cannabis from “world’s most dangerous drugs” list

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs today voted to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from its list of the “world’s most dangerous drugs”, a move the Associated Press (AP) is stating could have an impact on global “loosening of international controls on medical marijuana”. The AP noted, however, that the vote “does […]

OPM fires back at Opposition criticisms — says ‘failure of substance’ puts all Bahamians at risk

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday fired back at criticisms leveled by the Leader of the Opposition over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The OPM accused Opposition leader Philip Davis’ of issuing “false, misleading” statements during a time of “extreme strain”, adding the ‘failure of substance’ puts all Bahamians […]

Marijuana commission reactivated until June 2021

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNMC) has been reappointed by the prime minister for another year, according to the commission’s chairman Quin McCartney. McCartney told Eyewitness News that the commission, which held its first meeting since March earlier this week, is moving to assess the way forward in order to gauge […]