Pubdate: Sun, 11 May 2014
Source: Bermuda Sun (Bermuda)
Copyright: 2005 Bermuda Sun
Contact:  http://www.bermudasun.bm/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3865
Author: Danny McDonald

CRC Report

DECRIMINALIZE PERSONAL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS

A task force charged with studying the island's cannabis policy is 
recommending the decriminalization of small amounts of the drug.

The Cannabis Reform Collaborative also recommends the government 
enable patients to be prescribed cannabis on the island.

The report, which was tabled by National Security Minister Michael 
Dunkley in the House of Assembly on Friday, makes a slew of 
recommendations. It says the current drug policy is wasting money and 
resources and harming people's lives since careers options become 
limited once a criminal record is established. Cannabis prohibition, 
according to the report, is not working.

The numbers appear to back up that assertion: in recent years the 
rate of Bermudians criminalized for cannabis conviction is higher 
than the island's population growth rate. Between 2006 and 2011, 775 
Bermudians were convicted of a cannabis related crime; the 
Bermuda-born population grew by 719 during that time frame. Instead 
of a punitive cannabis policy, the government should consider civic 
penalties, a substance tribunal and harm reduction and education 
initiatives, according to the report.

The report also says The Department of National Drug Control should 
be placed under the Ministry of Health, where there could be a 
greater emphasis placed on "demand reduction with a focus on 
prevention and treatment."

It recommends personal possession of cannabis be decriminalized 
immediately. The government should also allow for cultivation of a 
limited number of cannabis plants, according to the recommendations.

The CRC says the legal age of consent for access and consumption both 
cannabis and alcohol on the island should be 21. Any change to 
existing laws, should be made in consultation with labour unions, 
employers and insurance companies. The CRC favors a phased approach 
to cannabis reform that would reduce Bermudians being denied access 
to the U.S. by being placed on a "Stop List."

The government should take "immediate action to enable access to 
medical cannabis with a prescription" under existing regulations 
until new legislation is approved, according to the CRC.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom