The Medicinal Cannabis (R)evolution

38

5.4 The Cannabis Bill – Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Christopher and Nevis, has tabled a draft Cannabis Bill in its National Assembly in May 2019. The Cannabis Bill 2019 of Saint Christopher and Nevis is arranged in thirteen parts. Part I deals with the commencement, short title and interpretation sections of the Bill. The Bill’s intention is stated as; “A Bill to provide for the regulation and control of cannabis for religious use, by documented members of registered religious organizations, to uphold the constitutional rights afforded to each citizen of Saint Christopher and Nevis, to establish the Saint Christopher and Nevis Medicinal Cannabis Authority whose functions will be described herein, to authorize medicinal and alternative medicinal cannabis, and to establish a licensing structure and complete tracking system for medicinal cannabis business .” It is noted that the provisions of this Bill is very similar to Antigua and Barbuda as it provides for, cannabis use for religious purposes and access to medicinal cannabis. The parliamentary process for this Bill was stalled at the time of writing this report therefore, there is an opportunity for further consultations with stakeholders and the possibly of the provisions in the Bill changing.