By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

AS the government moves forward with cannabis reform, critics are questioning why decriminalisation measures have yet to take effect, despite the passage of cannabis legislation.

Marijuana Bahamas president Valentino Elliott raised concerns yesterday over continued arrests for minor possession, arguing that delays in implementing some provisions suggest authorities are not acting in the spirit of the law.

The Cannabis Act establishes a $250 fine for possession of up to 30 grams rather than criminal penalties. However, only the provisions creating the Cannabis Authority have been enacted, meaning arrests for small amounts of cannabis continue. Mr Elliott questioned why law enforcement has not been instructed to stop such arrests.

“I thought it would have taken effect within maybe 30 to 60 days after it was passed. I did not know it was going to take this long,” Mr Elliott said, criticising the government’s phased approach.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder recently confirmed that the Cannabis Authority Board is in place and is finalising regulations, with license applications expected to open by mid-2025.

The Cannabis Act, passed in 2024, legalises medical and religious cannabis use and outlines six types of business licences. Most licences are restricted to Bahamian citizens or majority Bahamian-owned companies, with fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the licence type.

Government officials have not explained why certain elements of the Act, such as decriminalisation, cannot be enforced immediately, regardless of the ongoing work of the Cannabis Authority.