Governor General Sir Neville Cenac on Tuesday briefly addressed the issue of cannabis during his Throne Speech. He stated that the government will propose a ‘Cannabis Bill’ to govern the industry in Saint Lucia. Cenac did not provide a timeline as to when the bill would be tabled in Parliament but said that this initiative is intended to support employment creation, boost the economy and generate revenue.
“Critically,” he went on, “it also has the benefit of lifting the burden off the prison system, as simple possession of cannabis will no longer be an indictable offence.”
The Governor General added that the bill “will establish the authority responsible for issuing licenses for the possession, supply and use of cannabis for industrial, medicinal, therapeutic or scientific purposes.”
Special provisions will govern the use of cannabis for religious purposes, Cenac said. “The bill will also address the purchase, distribution and selling of cannabis, and will prohibit the use of cannabis in specified circumstances.”
In July 2020, Commerce Minister Bradley Felix announced that authorization had been given to draft a legislative and regulatory framework for cannabis.
