NASSAU, Bahamas – Declaring that Bahamian marijuana users should not be considered criminals, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he supports releasing from prison those convicted for having small amounts of the drug once the proper reforms and legal mechanisms are enacted, The Tribune reported on January 22.
Dr Minnis made a strong case on Tuesday for reformation, saying not only have laws led to convictions of Bahamians using the plant for religious, personal and medical reasons, but has caused unnecessary confrontations between police and citizens.
The situation he said has left “good” people burdened with criminal records that have made travel and finding work challenging. He also reiterated his support for expunging the records of those convicted for possessing small amounts of the drug.
The prime minister made the comments yesterday as the Bahamas National Marijuana Commission presented its preliminary report after several delays and the leak of an early version of the BNMC’s findings and recommendations.
The report was not made public on Tuesday, with officials telling The Tribune it would have to be presented to Cabinet first and then tabled at Parliament.
“The analysis and information contained within this report will help guide the policy decisions my government will take,” Dr Minnis said at the Office of the Prime Minister on West Bay Street. “This report will be reviewed and considered within the context of our programme to expunge records for the use of small amounts of marijuana…” See full story in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/jan/22/set-them-free-minnis-backs-jail-release-small-mari/
