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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Grenada decriminalises cannabis, sets age of 21 for legal possession
Carrabean National Weekly Tuesday 20 Jan 2026 Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said he had preferred the legal age for cannabis possession to be 18, the age of civil responsibility, but ultimately settled on 21 following “passionate debate” and expert advice. “There was passionate debate, we went back and forth…if you are an adult you are an adult, 18 is 18, we recognise 18, you can drive, you can vote, you can get married, so from my perspective you should be allowed at 18 if you do so wish to choose but I was in the minority,” Mitchell said during the debate on the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. “And so I cede graciously to the medical experts, to the mental health experts who recognise that at 18 a brain is still developing,” he added. The government described the measure as a transformative milestone toward cannabis reform. Minister for Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, Economic Development and Planning Lennox Andrews said it prioritises “the health of individuals and safety of our youth, while finally unlocking therapeutic and economic power for all Grenadians.” The legislation provides amnesty and automatic expungement of criminal records for minor cannabis offences and discontinues pending proceedings for specified small amounts. It also affirms the constitutional rights of the Rastafari community to use cannabis as a sacrament within registered places of worship and at special events, with allowances for cultivation. Under the law, adults aged 21 and over may possess up to 56 grams of cannabis and 15 grams of cannabis resin, and register to cultivate up to four plants per household for private use. Public consumption remains prohibited and subject to penalties, and strict safeguards protect minors, including criminal penalties for supplying youth and rehabilitative approaches for those found in possession. Prime Minister Mitchell noted the policy balances benefits and risks. “Yes, there is always the bright side and the dark side…We also recognise that there are serious medical risks and serious societal challenges that exist whether or not the policy continues to criminalise the use or possession,” he said. Leader of Government Business and Minister of Health Phillip Telesford emphasized that recreational use remains prohibited. “Our policy of decriminalisation will be paired with strict regulations to protect the youths and accompanied by a robust public education campaign and strong enforcement against intoxication while driving. Medical use remains controlled and recreational use as per this Bill is not permitted. The Government prioritises health and safety over short-term economic gains,” he told Parliament. Attorney General Senator Claudette Joseph highlighted the bill’s timeliness. “Grenada is one of the last jurisdictions to now move in the direction of the decriminalisation of cannabis and ultimately the establishment of a medical cannabis industry,” she said. Joseph stressed that decriminalisation does not mean unrestricted use; cannabis will remain controlled, with clear limits, defined offences, and enforcement mechanisms. The government said it plans to develop a comprehensive national cannabis policy framework within three to six months, covering cultivation, processing, research, and medicinal use. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/grenada-decriminalises-cannabis-sets-age-of-21-for-legal-possession/
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