The Bills are expected to have their first reading when Parliament convenes on Monday August 20th, 2018. Two community consultations are scheduled for Tuesday, August 14th at the Diamond Government School and Thursday, August 16th at the Troumaca Government School each commencing at 6:00 pm.
Consultations are expected to be held in other communities within St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour will be conducting a series of community consultations to educate and solicit feedback on the legal framework for the establishment of a Medicinal Cannabis Industry here.
The legal framework is comprised of three draft bills:
- The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill 2018 which has the objective of establishing a Medicinal Cannabis Industry to provide for the lawful access to medicinal cannabis as an alternative treatment for persons who are suffering from a qualifying medical condition.
- The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill 2018 which provides for an amnesty to grant a reprieve to persons in illegal cultivation of cannabis to transition them into legitimate medicinal cannabis farmers and
- The Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purposes Bill 2018 which seeks to provide for decriminalization and not legalization of cannabis for religious purposes.
The panel will consist of Dr. Jerrol Thompson, and a representative from the Attorney General’s Chambers. An invitation is extended to the public to participate in the process of establishing this industry.