Cannabis in the Cayman Islands
Cannabis in the Cayman Islands has been legal for medical purposes since 2017. The use of cannabis for recreational purposes still remains prohibited.
History
[edit]In May 2017, the Cayman Islands legalized medical cannabis.[1]
By September 2019, vaporizable cannabinoid products were banned due to concerns raised by the Cayman Islands Medical and Dental Society over unethical drug advertising.[1]
By August 2020, restrictions on medical cannabis were lifted by chief medical officer, John Lee.[1]
In December 2022, Cayman Islands lawmakers voted to conduct a referendum in 2023 on the decriminalization of limited quantities of cannabis.[2] 2023 passed without a referendum being held. In October 2024, Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan announced that the referendum had been rescheduled to take place alongside the general election in 2025.[3]
Legal status
[edit]Cannabis in the Cayman Islands has been legal for medical purposes since 2017. The use of cannabis for recreational purposes still remains prohibited.[1]
In the Cayman Islands, medical cannabis is dispensed as capsules, oral oil drops, and vaporized forms.[1] Importing or exporting any cannabis product, even for medicinal use, is prohibited.[1] Travelers using medical cannabis are advised to consult a local physician or medical centers such as David Kwinter, Doctors Express, or Cayman Islands Hospital prior to their visit.[1]
Counter-drug operations
[edit]The Cayman Islands cooperates with the United States Coast Guard to share intelligence on drug trafficking. In 1998, a USCG helicopter radioed information to a Cayman Islands vessel, leading them to intercept a Jamaican fast-boat with 1600lbs of cannabis.[4] In 1995 alone, Cayman seized 2.6 metric tons of cannabis; 742 pounds of that were seized in one operation, found in burlap sacks labeled "brown sugar made in Jamaica".[5]
CBD oil legalization
[edit]In 2016, the governor of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands approved a change to the Misuse of Drugs Law to allow the importation and use of CBD oil for medical purposes.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Medical Cannabis in the Cayman Islands". Cayman Resident.
- ^ "Cayman Islands to hold referendum on decriminalizing pot". AP News. December 8, 2022.
- ^ "Cayman Islands to ask voters whether to ease marijuana laws". AP News. October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. The Bureau. 1999. p. 250.
- ^ Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith (1 November 2010). Drugs and Security in the Caribbean: Sovereignty Under Siege. Penn State Press. pp. 70–. ISBN 978-0-271-03936-7.
- ^ Brent Fuller (2016-11-16). "Governor approves medical cannabis oil". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
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