Cannabis Reform
Where do you think the money from a regulated Cannabis scheme in Bermuda should go?
Happy 420 Week Bermuda! Where do you think the money from a regulated Cannabis scheme should go? 💸🍃
Take our poll and let us know your thoughts.
Criminal Justice - Cannabis Reform: Action Items
Restorative Justice
Expunge all non-violent cannabis-related convictions and release those incarcerated.
Jail-time should not be a consequence for the misuse of cannabis, excluding the illegal supplying of cannabis to minors or product misrepresentation.
People with non-violent cannabis convictions should be eligible for deferred licensing fees for their initial application.
Revenue from cannabis taxation must be reinvested into the communities most impacted by the draconian prohibition of cannabis.
Equitable Access
Consider the inclusion of the following in the dropdown menu for #2g of the Cannabis Expungement Act: “The person for whom an expungement order is sought does not have access to a computer or the internet.“
Adjust the Personal cultivation fee, which currently excludes many of our country’s lower income earners from participating in the proposed legal growing scheme and restricts their options for accessing what in many cases, is their medicine and in all cases a more economical option for health.
Quality Control & Labeling to ensure informed and responsible consumption
Require compound level testing to ensure that cannabis consumers are aware of the levels of cannabinoids and pesticides in cannabis plants and plant-based products.
2021-03-02 SJB Cannabis Letter to the Senate.pdfResponse to Cannabis Licensing Act 2020
March 2, 2021
An Open Letter to the Senate, AG and Ministry of Legal Affairs & Constitutional Reform
Download here: Social Justice Bermuda Cannabis Reform Task Force Response to Cannabis Licensing Act 2020 - An Open Letter to the Senate [.PDF]
A Conversation on the Cost of Cannabis Prohibition
Join Social Justice Bermuda on Facebook Live for a discussion about the social and economic costs of Cannabis Prohibition and how it affects the community.
We will be joined by three guests: Barristers, Marc Daniels and Peter Sanderson, and Bermuda Police Service Deputy Commissioner (Acting), Darrin Simons.
Have your voice heard! Drop your questions in the live stream comments, or submit questions anonymously here: https://forms.gle/7HUregLy64PhRjN29
Date: Sunday November 15, 2020
Time: 8pm
Location: Social Justice Bermuda Facebook Live
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149260692435637
A Conversation on Cannabis Legislation - The Medicinal Edition
Join Social Justice Bermuda on Facebook Live for a discussion on Medicinal Cannabis, the proposed Cannabis legislation & how it will affect the community.
We will be joined on Facebook Live by healthcare practicioners Dr. Kyjuan Brown and Jennifer Lightbourne.
Have your voice heard!
Date: Sunday September 27, 2020
Time: 8pm
Location: Social Justice Bermuda Facebook Live
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/353676722670858/
Read Social Justice Bermuda's response to the proposed Cannabis Legislation here.
A Conversation on Cannabis Legislation
Join Social Justice Bermuda on Facebook Live for a discussion on the proposed Cannabis legislation & how it will affect the community.
Have your voice heard!
Date: Sunday June 28, 2020
Time: 6pm
Location: Social Justice Bermuda Facebook Live
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/270250987533392/
Watch the replay here: https://www.facebook.com/SocialJusticeBM/videos/2647158218937738
What can you do? Use your voice! Respond to the Cannabis Consultation NOW.
Visit the Bermuda Government Citizens Forum to respond to the proposed Regulated Cannabis Scheme for Bermuda.
Here's how:
Go to https://forum.gov.bm/
Create an account with your email address, or log in with your Facebook or Google account.
Read the responses under each of the seven "ideas" on the website.
React and respond to Social Justice Bermuda's comments & ideas in the Citizens Forum.
React and respond to comments & ideas from other community members in the Citizens Forum.
Submit your own comments under one or more of the seven "ideas" in the Citizens Forum.
Note: The Deadline for Public Consultation is FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020.
KEY Links
A Regulated Cannabis Scheme for Bermuda: LEARN MORE and RESPOND HERE in the Forum: https://forum.gov.bm/en/projects/a-regulated-cannabis-scheme-for-bermuda-1/
Read: A REGULATED CANNABIS SCHEME FOR BERMUDA Policy Document – Ministry of Legal Affairs [pdf]
Read: CANNABIS (LICENSING AND REGULATION) ACT 2020 Draft Bill [pdf]
Bermuda Government Citizens Forum (main page): https://forum.gov.bm/
Read: Social Justice Bermuda's 18 recommendations [pdf]
View Social Justice Bermuda's profile and comments in the Citizens Forum: https://forum.gov.bm/en/profile/social-justice-bermuda
Further Reading
Read: Bermuda Cannabis Reform Collaborative (CRC) 2014 Report [pdf]
Read: Bermuda Government: ‘More Simplified, Regulated Cannabis Scheme’ [Bernews Article]
Read: Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons: "Why a regulated cannabis regime?" [RG Article]
Read: Peter Sanderson: "Cannabis rules confused, says lawyer" [RG Article]
Read: "The business of cannabis is happening" [RG Article]
BDA GOV:
"The proposed Regulated Cannabis Policy will offer different classes of licensed activities for commercial growers, cannabis retail shops, manufacture, research, transport, import and export."
Review the policy document and express your views at www.forum.gov.bm or email consultation@gov.bm
Social JUstice BM:
Should we be able to consume cannabis on our private properties?
The proposed legislation does not permit you to consume cannabis on your private property.
Social JUstice BM:
Should the revenue made from cannabis go towards community spaces and public school education initiatives?
The proposed legislation does not stipulate that revenue will help our community spaces or public education initiatives.
Social JUstice BM:
Should people who were convicted of nonviolent cannabis crimes be released from imprisonment and have criminal records expunged at the same time that cannabis is legalized?
The proposed legislation does not expunge all cannabis related sentences immediately.
Social JUstice BM:
Should people most affected by cannabis prohibition have license fees waived or deferred and/or priority access to licenses?
The proposed legislation does not waive or defer license fees for those most affected by cannabis prohibition.
Social JUstice BM:
Should future non-violent cannabis related offences not result in jail time?
We propose that all all cannabis related offences should not receive more than a fine or community service.
The current cannabis legislation is proposing that cultivation and distribution of cannabis is not permitted within a ½ mile radius of a school or church.
Where can we cultivate or sell cannabis in Bermuda? According to the proposed legislation, practically nowhere. This map shows it will only serve a select few...