Bahamas: Prime Minister Commits to Medicinal Cannabis, But Not Adult Use
A legislative committee has been formed to craft a proposal to legalize medical cannabis and to expunge records.
Published on Feb 9, 2021 6:55AM ESTCaribbean
Share this:
Legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the Bahamas is near completion, though lawmakers in the tourism-dependent island archipelago appear unlikely to include language for adult-use.
On February 5, Hubert Minnis, the country’s Prime Minister, announced a plan to move forward with legislation focused on medical cannabis, one week after establishing a sub-committee of the Bahamian Cabinet of Ministers to develop a plan for its implementation. The sub-committee, which will be headed by Attorney General Carl Bethel, will also deal with the matters relating to the expungement of records for cannabis-related charges. If signed to law, the legislation would allow Bahamians to grow, use, and export medical cannabis.
BPC seeking $200,000 security for exploratory oil judicial review
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Attorney General Carl Bethel said while he expected Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) to seek security for cost in an ongoing judicial review proceeding concerning approval to drill an exploratory oil well, the government will not go back on its decision to withdraw its application to the Supreme Court for cost.
“An interested party who is granted leave to join a judicial review because they would be affected by the result and they want to be heard, the principle is long established that they are entitled to get security for cost,” he said.
Senate passes resolution to extend state of emergency to May 23 ewnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ewnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Bethel: Only a little more ways to go before the start of mass vaccination
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday defended the government’s decision to seek an extension of the state of emergency and emergency order until May 23, pointing to the onslaught of COVID-19 variants worldwide.
On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave notice in Parliament that he will move a resolution for the extension. The existing orders will come to an end on January 31.
Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Bethel said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” and necessary “so that we do not let our guards down”.
Detained African refugees seeking asylum take legal action The Carmichael Road Detention Centre. FILE
A group of African political refugees has taken legal action against the government, claiming false imprisonment at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre and requesting that an injunction be granted to prevent their deportation to their home countries.
The writ of summons, which was filed on Wednesday, lists Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson, Director of Immigration Clarence Russell, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Dr. Raymond King and Attorney General Carl Bethel as the respondents.