Just Published PDF Guide: Sun Sea Sensi – “Guide To Caribbean Cannabis Laws (32 Countries)”

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1. GUIDE TO CARIBBEAN CANNABIS LAWS ( 32 COUNTRIES) Ingrid Riley Page of1 18

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2. 3. THE CARIBBEAN IS THE NEXT BIG CANNABIS MARKETPLACE. Page of3 18
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4. 5. COUNTRIES COVERED Antigua and Barbuda . Anguilla. Aruba Belize. Barbados . Bahamas . Bermuda . Bonaire . British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands. Cuba. Curacao Dominica. Dominican Republic Guadelope . Grenada . Guyana Haiti . Jamaica Martinique . Monserrat Puerto Rico . Saba St Barthelemy . St Kitts and Nevis . St Martin. St Lucia . St Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname. Turks and Caicos. Trinidad and Tobago US Virgin Islands. Page of5 18
5. 6. INside THIS SUN, SEA and SENSI ™ GUIDE Cannabis has been culturally entrenched in the Caribbean for hundreds of years, being used by millions, for both wellness and sacramental purposes. As we witness Caribbean nations evolve their laws to match not only the global green wave but also to position the Region as the next big Marketplace for Cannabis Wellness and Cannabis Tourism – we’re excited to witness and share with you the rise of Sun, Sea, and Sensi. We’re witnessing history being made many times over, as the Green Wave of decriminalisation and legalisation of Cannabis rushes across the World. As of writing this, August 2019, Canada is getting ready to mark its first year of making Cannabis legal for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In the United States of America, 33 states have given the green light to cannabis in some capacity. Following the lead of pioneering places such as Uruguay and The Netherlands. 
 Here In the Caribbean, the Green Wave is happening just on time for some and too slow for others. Regardless, in this Sun, Sea and Sensi Guide, the first in a series, we cover 32 Caribbean countries who are currently evolving their Cannabis Laws for medicinal, religious, recreational and decriminalisation purposes. There are the usual suspects you probably know and there are others we believe you should keep your eye on.  
 This Sun, Sea and Sensi Guide to the current situation with Caribbean Cannabis Laws, is an informative 18-pager written for anyone who wants to be ahead of the curve on spotting which countries present the opportunities for Where to Eat, Drink, Stay, Play, Shop and Do Business in Cannabis-friendly Caribbean. Of the 32 islands, this eGuide reveals that there are opportunities in 20 Caribbean Nations. Enjoy, Ingrid Riley Writer + Founder | SunSeaAndSensi.com Co-founder | Cannabis Marketing Agency Digital420 Email: [email protected] 
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6. 7. ANTIGUA & BARBUDA | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalised. 
 Cannabis has been decriminalised in Antigua and Barbuda and they now have a Medicinal Cannabis Authority in place which is responsible for regulating and controlling the licensing of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, extraction, import, export, testing, research, distribution, and sale of medicinal cannabis and cannabis for sacramental purposes. The rules for decriminalisation are that – Anyone older than 18 is allowed to possess a maximum of 15 grams of cannabis.  – It is lawful to cultivate up to four plants per household. • Cannabis sales remain illegal. • Smoking Cannabis is prohibited in public places, including bars, restaurants and tourist establishments. • Tourist establishments are allowed to set aside “open areas” where guests can smoke cannabis. 
 ANGUILLA | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalisation Being Debated. Anguilla has proposed new Cannabis decriminalization laws. It will allow for regulated, supervised and limited access for our sick citizens especially those with cancer, HIV/ AIDS, glaucoma, and epilepsy. The new laws when enacted will allow for up to 10 grams and seek to expunge the records of those previously charged for possession of small amounts of Cannabis. More details of the laws will be made public soon. ARUBA | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalisation by year-end 2019. Aruba will approve Medical Cannabis by the end of 2019. Aruba makes a big step towards legalising and decriminalising medical cannabis (CBD Oil). Soon adults will be free to buy and use cannabis products with a low THC, such as CBD oil, without a prescription. Drugs with a higher THC content will be available through medical doctors and specialists, with a prescription. It continues to ban the recreational use of cannabis for the time being. 
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7. 8. BARBADOS | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalisation Being Debated. Cannabis in Barbados is in the process of being decriminalised as the Government announced plans to establish a medical Cannabis industry project implementation unit, that is mandated to establish an administrative framework for a medical Cannabis program and bring it to fruition. Parliamentarians are expected to debate Marshall’s bill in August 30. The government said that decriminalisation of Cannabis for recreational use will have to be decided by a referendum. In the meantime, while laws are being changed, The ministry of health and wellness has approved five medicinal Cannabis drugs submitted by the drug formulary committee to be placed on the National Drug Formulary. The drugs will be imported by the Barbados Drug Service. BAHAMAS | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalisation Being Debated. Cannabis in the Bahamas is currently in the process of being decriminalised. The Bahamas National Commission on Cannabis (BNCM) has been formed and after a series of town halls and other consultations, they are to submit a report by the end of summer 2019.  The commission’s report will cover five aspects: the medical use of cannabis; the economic and industrial use of cannabis, for example for paper, alternative plastics, concrete, biofuels etc; the religious and ceremonial use of cannabis, for the Rastafarian community or other communities that may use it as part of their ceremonies; the recreational use of cannabis, regarding potency edibles, tourism and any other aspects in that area; finally, regulatory issues related to cannabis regarding age restrictions, legislative framework and other issues.  Unfortunately, the Government has started to crack down on the advertisement, import and sales of CBD oils and products as Cannabis-derived products are still Illegal. Up until the call for the ban, there were no restrictions on CBD products. 
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8. 9. BELIZE | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalised. Cannabis in Belize was decriminalized in 2016. The amended Misuse of Drugs Act was passed and it decriminalises possession and use of small amounts of Cannabis. Adults can have up to 10 grams of Cannabis in their possession and smoke it on their premises or somebody else’s private premises, once the owner gives permission. BERMUDA | Status: Pointlessly Decriminalised. Cannabis in Bermuda has been decriminalized with the changes to the countries Misuse of Drugs [Decriminalisation of Cannabis] Amendment Act 2017 . What the amended Act has done, is to remove criminal offences for the simple possession by any person of 7 grams or less of cannabis. The Amendment does NOT make it legal for a person to consume, cultivate, traffic or import cannabis in any quantity. The Changes in the law does not provide any guarantee that a person will not be stopped when attempting to travel to the United States of America for any reason, including if that person already has a prior conviction for simple possession of cannabis. The government of Bermuda is currently on a public education campaign. 
 BONAIRE | Status: Illegal. Not Like their Mother Country. The big question has always been, does the same tolerance and decriminalisation laws in the Netherlands also apply in Bonaire, its territory in the Caribbean, as it’s legal to buy and consume cannabis in Amsterdam? The Bonaire Tourism office answers say it all. “Bonaire does NOT support the same Dutch tolerance laws towards pot and  other narcotics as the Netherlands in Europe. If someone is caught with it,  that person could face serious charges and jail time. I would advise it not be included in a vacation on Bonaire.”  
 The status of Cannabis in Bonaire is NOT like that of its mother country. 
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9. 10. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | Status: Decriminalisation Being Debated. 
 Currently, possession and distribution of Cannabis of any quantity are illegal in the territory. That said, there is a fast-rising expressed openness to reconsidering the laws concerning Cannabis. Politicians are listening closely to the public discussions and consultations being raised at Cannabis educational events about how to move forward. It has been said that consultations are the first step in what has been called “a long journey to decriminalisation and legalisation of Cannabis in the British Virgin Islands.” CAYMAN ISLANDS | Status: Medicinal. 
 In the Cayman Islands, the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Law was amended. It states that “the use of cannabis extracts and tinctures of cannabis for medical or therapeutic purposes, where prescribed by a medical doctor licensed under the Health Practice Law as part of a course of treatment for a person under that medical doctor’s care, is lawful.” 
 This step by the government legalised the medical use of Cannabis in the form of an oil or tinctures to treat cancer, epilepsy, or as a pain reliever for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, among a list of other conditions. The oils can be legally imported. CUBA | Status: Illegal. Cannabis is illegal in Cuba, and so is any related action.
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10. 11. CURACAO | Status: CBD Oil Prevalent. Decriminalisation Pending. Already, hundreds of patients in Curaçao use Cannabidiol (CBD) oil. The CBD oils are available through the pharmacy and is largely imported from Spain currently. There is a very strong and vibrant Cannabis community, non-profit movement and online petitions behind the Curacao Cannabis Act of 2018/2019.  Among other things, the Cannabis Community is calling for the creation of a Cannabis Commission; for the laws to change to allow the personal, medicinal, and commercial use of Cannabis in Curaçao provided that such activity occurs pursuant to this chapter ; To permit persons licensed, controlled, and regulated by Curaçao to legally manufacture and sell Cannabis to persons 18 years of age and older and To create Hemp Industries for Curaçao and more. They have since put out a 12 point proposal. DOMINICA | Status: Medicinal + Decriminalisation Pending. After rounds of Cannabis Consultations with various stakeholders, the Government announced in July 2019, that they will bring to the Parliament for consideration, legislation that would allow for the regulated and controlled use of Cannabis for medicinal, scientific, religious and recreational purposes.  The Government will, therefore, propose that the possession of not more than 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of Cannabis, be decriminalised. We will go further and make the necessary amendments to have struck off from the record of those convicted for Cannabis possession, any conviction in respect of the possession of 28.35 grams (one ounce) or less. Page of11 18
11. 12. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | Status: Decriminalisation Being Discussed Neurosurgeon José Joaquín Puello, opened the debate with different sectors to discuss the possibility of decriminalizing Cannabis for medicinal and recreational use. GUADELOUPE | Status: Medicinal Decriminalisation. From 2018, the Guadalupe City Council voted to ban everything but medicinal deliveries of Cannabis to city residents, setting the stage for a wide-ranging moratorium on storefronts, commercial cultivation and other adjacent or associated businesses. 
 GRENADA | Status: Decriminalisation Being Discussed. This Caribbean Nation is eyeing Cannabis Tourism by decriminalizing Cannabis. The country is still in study and discussion mode, but no position has been taken on it as yet. So it is still illegal there. In November 2017, Grenada enforced the rehabilitation offenses legislation which provides for persons with convictions for possession of Cannabis joints to have their records removed after four years. There was a recent call by Cannabis advocates focused on Cannabis Tourism, for the government to take immediate steps to accommodate Canadian visitors who need to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. GUYANA | Status: Piecemeal Decriminalisation Pending. In January 2019, the Guyanese Government announced that Cannabis, hemp decriminalisation is on Guyana’s election agenda. In July 2019 Cabinet approved a bill intended to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Control Act to prevent persons from being incarcerated if found with up to 30 grams of Cannabis. Though the bill, when passed into law, will not decriminalise the use of Cannabis, Trotman said it will prevent hundreds of persons, particularly young people, from being imprisoned for possession of small quantities of cannabis. He explained that persons Page of12 18
12. 13. found with up to 30 grams of cannabis will either pay a fine or do community service. The Act is not intended to decriminalise the use of Cannabis but rather prevent persons from being jailed for having up to 30 grams of cannabis in their possession. The overall intention is to reduce the prison population.  HAITI | Status: Illegal. No Decriminalisation Process in Near Sight. Cannabis is illegal in Haiti, and so is any related action. JAMAICA | Status: Medicinal, Sacramental, Decriminalisation.  A self-described leader in the Caribbean Cannabis Market, Jamaica passed the “Ganja Law” in 2015, which decriminalised the growing, consuming, selling and researching of Cannabis for medical, therapeutic and sacrament purposes. You can possess 2 ounces | 56 grams or less of cannabis and personally cultivate up to 5 plants maximum per household. Cannabis Legal for Rastafarians for Sacramental Use.  As of the end of August 2019, 54 licensees had been issued by the Cannabis Licensing Authority ( CLA). Additionally, the CLA has issued just over 600 applications to date that includes 190 applications at the conditional approval stage and another 367 at desk review and verification stage. The CLA will complete the export regulations shortly to facilitate the legal export of Cannabis Raw Materials such as buds and oil extracts. 
 MARTINIQUE | Status: Illegal.  
 Cannabis in Martinique, the French Overseas Territory in the Caribbean is illegal under French law. 
 MONTSERRAT | Status: Illegal. Cannabis in Montserrat, the British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean Leeward Islands, is illegal under British law. 
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13. 14. PUERTO RICO | Status: Medicinal. 
 Legal for medicinal purposes but illegal for recreational purposes. Although the medical use of Cannabis is permitted, smoking the substance is not legal. Puerto Rico has legalized medical Cannabis, setting up several dispensaries on the island and the number of patients registered in Puerto Rico has surpassed 20,000, signaling that the industry is gaining momentum. SABA | Status: Illegal. Not Like Their Mother Country. Cannabis in Saba, a Caribbean Island in the Lesser Antilles chain, is a special municipality of the Netherlands is illegal. 
 ST. BARTHELEMY | Status: Limited Medicinal. 
 Cannabis is illegal in Saint Barthélemy for personal use. Limited types of cannabis- derived products are permitted for medical uses. As an overseas collectivity of France, Saint Barthélemy is subject to French law and all international conventions signed by France.[1] 
 ST. MARTIN | Status: Illegal. Not like their Mother Country.  
 While a Cannabis Culture thrives there, even the Dutch Territory still marks Cannabis as illegal. 
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14. 15. ST. KITTS & NEVIS | Status: Medicinal, Scientific, religious and recreational purposes. In July 2019, the government of St Kitts and Nevis filed a Cannabis Bill, the landmark legislative amendments to the Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2019. This is a follow-up from the report of its National Cannabis Commission and its recommendation that the country’s Drugs Act of 1986 be amended to take into consideration the latest research on the benefits of cannabis. Among its proposals, the Commission supported legalizing the use of Cannabis and its derivatives for medicinal and scientific purposes, decriminalizing possession of 15 grams of cannabis or less and the expungement of criminal records for people convicted for similar amounts.  ST. LUCIA | Status: Decriminalisation Pending. 
 The St Lucia government has given the nod to the re-establishment of a Cannabis commission that has been given the mandate to consult and provide advice on the design of a legislative and regulatory framework for cannabis. Public Consultations have begun and it is expected that Saint Lucia will be decriminalizing Cannabis before end of 2019 and focused on medical Cannabis. 
 ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES | Status: Medicinal. 
 Saint Vincent & the Grenadines became the first member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the community of Lesser Antilles nations, to decriminalize cannabis and establish a medical Cannabis program in December 2018 by passing a Medicinal Cannabis Bill. The Medicinal Cannabis Authority which regulates the cultivation, supply, possession, production and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the country have so far given 25 licenses so far. The president of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would rather export cannabis than grow bananas. 
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15. 16. SURINAME | Status: Medicinal Pending.  
 Cannabis will soon be permitted within the health care system of Suriname. To this end, the Advisory and Monitoring Body for Scientific Research on Hemp Cultivation has been installed. Cannabis will only be permitted by law for medicinal and not for recreational use.   
 Trinidad and Tobago | Status: Decriminalisation Pending Imported CBD Oil is readily available in Smoke Accessories stores and pharmacies and used in the private practice healthcare system. What is coming next is the legislation for the decriminalisation of Cannabis. The draft legislation was completed in June 2019 and will be tabled in Parliament in September 2019. The new legislation is expected to cover regulations that govern medicinal, manufacturing, production and sale aspects of Cannabis, in addition to the expungement of the records of individuals in jail. TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS | Status: Medicinal. In January 21, 2019 the Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act (MCPCA) was signed into law, to create a new medical cannabis tourism industry by allowing patients from states and countries with regulated markets to access Virgin Islands medical cannabis for a fee and to “allow non-cannabis patients worldwide to visit the Virgin Islands and receive cannabis therapy as part of an in-patient program.” 
 Additionally, Three classes of cultivation will also be allowed:  • Patients and caregivers will be permitted to grow a small quantity for personal use. • “Family farms” will be allowed to cultivate up to 100 plants.                     • -Larger commercial grow operations will be allowed to grow up to 1,000 plants. 
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16. 17. WHAT YOU CAN DO DISTRibutE IT FREELY You are given the unlimited right to distribute this eGuide electronically (via email, your website, or any other means). You can print out pages and put them in your favorite coffee shop’s windows or your doctor’s waiting room. You can transcribe the author’s words onto the sidewalk, or you can hand out copies to everyone you meet. You may not alter this eGuide in any way, though, and you may not charge for it. THINK Business possibilities The fact that 20 of the 32 Caribbean countries covered in this eGuide have given the green light to Cannabis in some capacity, is enough to declare a Green Wave in the Region and this presents numerous opportunities for individuals and companies. Individuals and companies can now gauge from this information, in which markets they want to play and whether they want to be involved in businesses that directly touch the plant or have businesses that support the Cannabis industry. Without question also, by virtue of the strengths of the Caribbean, Cannabis Tourism and Cannabis Wellness sectors will be sectors to watch. Page of17 18
17. 18. CONNECT WITH ME EMAIL: [email protected] TWITTER: @ingridriley | LINKEDIN: ingridriley.com/in/ingridriley Know Where to Eat, Drink, Stay, Play, Shop and Do Business in Cannabis-friendly Caribbean. #SunSeaAndSensi Product of www.Digital420.co Page of18 18