Plans are in place to table the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Amendment Bill in the Lower House of Parliament, in keeping with the government’s set deadline of July 2025.
The Bill seeks to decriminalise the use and possession of cannabis for medicinal, therapeutic, scientific, and religious/sacramental purposes, to depenalise the possession of cannabis in small quantities and to establish a fixed penalty regime for offenders who exceed the recommended amendment/guidelines.
Minister for Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, Hon Lennox J. Andrews, says he is pleased with the progress made by the Cannabis Committee in having the draft bill ready for consideration to Cabinet, and subsequently meeting the deadline for presentation to the Lower House of Parliament within the set time frame “Admittedly, as Minister championing this amendment, I am indeed quite satisfied with the Committee’s unwavering efforts in ensuring we as a Government, meet the deadline as promised to the public”
Cabinet recently engaged members of the Cannabis Working Committee, sifting through various aspects of the legislative and policy reform of the proposed Bill, to ensure that every recommendation falls in line with international guidelines as well as debating the merits and demerits of the new step forward.
In addition to the key recommended amendment which mainly looks at allowed quantity, restrictions to specific use, and permissible age, the Amendment also speaks to amnesty and the expungement of previous cannabis related charges.
Grenada is bound by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which means it must respect the rules and guidelines of the Convention. However, the Cannabis Committee is ensuring that any new policy and laws uphold the rights of Grenadians with regard to the Grenada Constitution. The Committee is clear in its mandate of carefully shaping these policies to fit Grenada’s unique social, economic, and cultural situation.
The Committee further highlighted that its main goals are social justice, public health and safety, and the overall well-being of all citizens, ensuring that its approach is truly effective and fair for everyone in Grenada. “An effective policy is one that works for its people. We are ensuring Grenada’s cannabis policies are not only compliant with international norms, but are also effective, equitable, just, and profoundly beneficial to our social, economic, and cultural landscape and for the well-being of every citizen.” says CEO of the Cannabis Secretariat Ms. Nandy Noel.
The reviewed draft will be further dissected by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, in collaboration with the Cannabis Committee, before the final copy is presented to Cabinet.
The Cannabis Working Committee is led by Attorney-at-Law Anselm Clouden with committee members, Head of Communications and Public Relations, Ms. Betty-Ann Lazarus; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vannie Curwen; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shawn Charles; Member of the Rastafari Community, Mr. Micheal Baptiste; and Director of Mental Health & Substance Use and Psychologist, Mr. Josh Hector.
