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St Kitts approves law to allow marijuana smoking in some public spaces

Loop News

June 21, 2023 3:59 PM ET

4 mins read

St Kitts and Nevis has moved one step closer to becoming one of the most marijuana-friendly places in the Caribbean as parliamentarians approved four bills regarding its use and possession.

The Smoking (designated Areas) Bill, 2023, Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023 and the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023 were unanimously approved by Members of Parliament during yesterday’s National Assembly Sitting.

The Smoking (designated Areas) Bill, 2023, which was presented in Parliament by Prime Minister Terrance Drew, designates certain specified public places as smoking areas, to prohibit smoking outside of a designated area in public places, to better provide for protection from exposure to certain types of smoke and for related or incidental matters.

In his opening presentation on the Bill, Drew stated: “It is not for me to judge who should smoke or who should not smoke, however, I think it is imperative that we seek to create a situation where both those who smoke and those who don’t smoke can exist in harmony”.

Drew said he believes creating specific places for smoking is the best scenario for St Kitts and Nevis.

“You wouldn’t want people to just be in a crowd or down the street just smoking because not everybody around might want to partake in it and that is ok as well, but you don’t want people to not have an opportunity to express themselves. So, if we have … an environment that enables all to exist, while we upkeep the law, I really think that it is the best scenario that we can have,” Drew added.

Opposition Leader Mark Brantley said he was concerned the bill would encourage islanders to operate vehicles while under the influence of marijuana.

He highlighted the government’s move to make the upcoming St Kitts Music Festival marijuana friendly as a potential risk for motorists and pedestrians.

“I’m simply saying now that we are taking this formal step, what happens when the festival is over and people take to our roads? I think it is a legitimate concern. It is no different to when people drink alcohol excessively and what happens when they get on our roads,” he said.

Brantley said the issue goes beyond separating smokers from non-smokers.

“We have come here time and time again and tinkered with the law but I have not seen the [educational program] roll out to say to our people these are the possible impacts,” Brantley stated while questioning whether police officers have tools to detect if a motorist is driving high on marijuana.

People’s Action Movement Leader, Shawn Richards, called on the government to educate the public about the effects of smoking and drug abuse.

Richards said there are many persons in St Kitts and Nevis who have developed mental issues from smoking marijuana and other drugs.

He highlighted that people have resorted to adding other drugs to their marijuana cigarettes to give the joint a “different flavour”.

Richards, a former Education Minister, also expressed concerns about the long-term effects on the healthcare system.