BahamasNewsRegional Bahamas introduces bills to legalise marijuana for medical and religious purposes by Barbados Today 26/08/2023 written by Barbados Today Updated by Desmond Brown 26/08/2023 1 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappThreadsBlueskyEmail 524 (AP) — The government of the Bahamas has unveiled several bills aimed at legalising marijuana for medical and religious purposes and decriminalising possession of small amounts, joining other Caribbean nations that have taken similar steps. If approved, those caught with less than 30 grams (one ounce) of marijuana would pay a $250 fine and the incident would not appear on their criminal record. Buying marijuana for recreational purposes would remain illegal. Officials said licenses for cultivation, retail, transport and religious use would only be granted to companies that are entirely Bahamian owned. Licenses for research, testing and manufacturing would be awarded to companies that are at least 30 per cent Bahamian owned. Attorney General Ryan Pinder told reporters Thursday that marijuana for religious purposes could only be smoked on the premises of a licenced organisation. The government envisions creating a Cannabis Authority to regulate the industry. Public hearings on the issue are scheduled for September, and legislation could be approved before next year. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Business owners disappointed Other Caribbean nations have relaxed their marijuana laws. Antigua decriminalised marijuana use for the general public. Jamaica also decriminalised small amounts of marijuana, while the US Virgin Islands recently authorised its recreational and sacramental use. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Guardian Life strengthens commitment to women’s cancer care across the Caribbean 16/07/2025 AG: Removal from EU blacklist clears way for business in Europe 16/07/2025 CWI calls for emergency meeting after humiliating Windies loss 15/07/2025