PM: Time to wipe the slate clean

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis supports expunging criminal records of people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana, he said yesterday.

Former Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson is the head of the government’s Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee. He told The Tribune earlier this month that he wants young and first-time offenders, especially those convicted of drug possession crimes, to get their criminal records expunged.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Amendment) 2015, people who have committed murder, manslaughter, treason, armed robbery, rape or possessed dangerous drugs with the intent to supply cannot have their records expunged. But after five years most others are eligible if they are first-time offenders or were younger than 21 at the time of their first conviction. People have to apply to get their records expunged and Mr Farquharson hopes that after their application is submitted, it will take the committee no longer than three to six months to reply.

Last week, Dr Minnis became the first sitting prime minister to publicly support some form of marijuana decriminalization, saying that in addition to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the substance, he wants it legalized for medicinal and/or scientific purposes.

He said in a statement yesterday: “Our laws regarding the possession of small amounts of marijuana have unfortunately led to the arrest, prosecution, conviction and punishment of many Bahamians.

“Some of these people have been burdened with criminal records, making travel and finding work more difficult. Reforming our marijuana laws and changing how we treat people with small possession convictions is a matter of social justice. I support expunging the records of Bahamians convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana. They deserve to move on with their lives free and clear of a criminal conviction. I eagerly await the release of the report by the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana.

“My government will use the report’s findings to help reform our marijuana laws. Part of this reform should be expunging the records of Bahamians convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana. Being from the Over-the-Hill community, I have seen firsthand how our current laws especially harm young people from modest backgrounds. The commission’s findings will be widely circulated and we welcome the input of Bahamians as we make those long-needed changes to various laws. A Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee has been formed and is reviewing a number of matters for recommendation, including the possible expunging of some criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana. We will also take into consideration the recommendation of this committee.”

Comments

mandela says...

To expunge the records of first time users or persons caught with a small amount of cannabis after 5 years is not going far enough and makes no sense, the ball is only being kicked down the road from 7 to 5 years, this action still means that a person has to wait 5 years, **DECRIMINALIZTION** of small amounts up to an ounce, is the only way to go to make any sense, cannabis should be a controlled substance just like alcohol or Tabacco.

Posted 25 November 2019, 8 a.m. Suggest removal

Chucky says...

It’s a play on words to say “controlled substance”. There is nothing controlled about alcohol or tobacco beyond the age of purchase and the government’s heavy taxation of the same.
I’d like to hear on reasonable honest answer as though why the government is involved in “ controlled substances “ you mention/ suggest?
Do we really need to feed the government via heavy taxation everyone someone has a drink or smokes?
What good does that do?

Posted 25 November 2019, 8:18 a.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Posted 25 November 2019, 8:39 a.m.

banker says...

I say it is time for a CBD industry in the Bahamas to help the economy.

Posted 25 November 2019, 11:05 a.m. Suggest removal

yeahyasee says...

AGREED!

Posted 25 November 2019, 1 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Would be the death knell for auto insurance and new car loans - nobody would be able to afford the insurance premiums.

Posted 25 November 2019, 1:21 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

doc will do and say anything if he thinks it will win him votes. They say the best revenge
is living well. not so for mealy mouth doc .his ways and his looks are the same.

Posted 25 November 2019, 2:53 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

When I read the headlines, "Time to Wipe the Slate Clean" I thought Minnis was leaving the Prime Minister's office.

Posted 25 November 2019, 3:10 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Hands down you win today's "glass half full" award for that very wishful thought!

Posted 25 November 2019, 4:44 p.m. Suggest removal

yeahyasee says...

LMAO

I needed this.

Posted 26 November 2019, 12:22 p.m. Suggest removal

hrysippus says...

Just expunge all the records one time. And offer an apology to those convicted. Keep it simple, why set up more useless bureaucracy costing thousands of dollars needed elsewhere. And why do those convicted have to go through the humiliating process of applying> This is just dumb.

Posted 26 November 2019, 1:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

Good points.

Posted 26 November 2019, 3:26 p.m. Suggest removal

killemwitdakno says...

Applause.

Posted 8 December 2019, 12:21 a.m. Suggest removal

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