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The marijuana political play From left: Dr. Hubert Minnis, Delton Fernander, Dr. Marcus Cooper and Philip Brave Davis.
With scientifically conducted surveys indicating widespread support for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use in The Bahamas, and also strong support for recreational use, the Minnis administration – bereft of ideas for economic diversification and running out of time to implement measures that would be meaningful and economically beneficial – has decided it will pursue the establishment of a medical marijuana industry.
Without a doubt, the Minnis administration is pursuing a populist position as it appeals to a certain segment of the population who will view the move as progressive.
(FILE PHOTO)
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.
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 concerns.
It was conducted between November 24 and December 14, with 1,000 respondents across The Bahamas.
Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said cannabis cultivation should be 100 percent Bahamian-owned; 21 percent said it should be majority Bahamian-owned; and nine percent said the segment should be 50 percent Bahamian/50 percent foreign-owned.
The responses were similar when respondents were asked about ownership for cannabis production, distribution and retail sale.
Prime minister specifies govt is only moving on medicinal marijuana and expungement of records at this time
NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government is expected to table a bill in Parliament in the next few weeks that would regulate medicinal marijuana in The Bahamas, said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Friday.
“We are presently attempting to complete the medicinal marijuana bill,” Minnis told reporters on the sidelines of the Exuma International Airport contract signing and groundbreaking ceremony.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
“I’m hoping we can have that in Parliament within a matter of weeks.
“I was hoping we would have had it there last week. Unfortunately, there are several amendments we had to make.”
Majority polled believe marijuana laws too harsh Marijuana plant. FILE
Sixty-four percent of residents surveyed for a study on cannabis said the current range of sentences for people convicted of cannabis possession is too harsh.
The survey was conducted by Public Domain, which interviewed 1,000 residents throughout The Bahamas via telephone between November 24 and December 14, 2020. The survey was completed for the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana.
Participants were asked their thoughts on the current range of sentences for people convicted of marijuana possession, which can range from counseling to imprisonment.
Twenty-four percent of the participants said the sentences were fair or reasonable, five percent said they were too lenient and nine percent said they were not sure.