The growing number of people smoking marijuana in public is troubling.
So much so that acting Inspector and communications and public affairs officer Ryan Brathwaite reminded Barbadians that possession of marijuana remains illegal and warned members of the public against openly smoking the drug in public spaces despite recent legislative reforms surrounding cannabis use.
Brathwaite stressed that while certain possession offences have been decriminalised and medicinal cannabis is now regulated, people should not interpret the changes as permission to smoke openly on the streets.
Warning
“Marijuana is still illegal. Having cannabis in your possession in Barbados is illegal. Persons should not be smoking marijuana in public,” he said.
“Don’t walk through Bridgetown smoking marijuana. Don’t walk along the streets of Barbados smoking marijuana.”
Addressing marijuana use at public events, he made it clear that smoking in public spaces remains an arrestable offence.
“If you are at an event and you are smoking what is commonly called a spliff, can you be arrested for that? Of course. Definitely,” he said.
“A lot of people say they go to events and this is happening and that is happening but one must be very careful,” he said.
“Police will take action. People cannot believe they can do these things in public spaces and get away with it,” he said.
Brathwaite said it seemed that many members of the public remained confused about the changes made to Barbados’ drug laws and what is legally permitted.
He outlined that under the amended Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, individuals found with 14 grammes or less of marijuana are no longer automatically charged before the courts once they admit possession. Instead, they are issued a fixed penalty ticket.
“There’s nothing called recreational marijuana, you’re allowed to have this amount. If you have that amount, it’s illegal.
“What we’ve moved away from is criminalising persons who have 14 grammes or less in their possession,” he explained.
Under the system, individuals found with the specified amount are issued a $200 fixed penalty ticket, which must be paid within 30 days. Failure to pay the fine can still result in prosecution before the magistrates’ courts, he pointed out.
Brathwaite noted that this process differs significantly from the previous system where offenders were formally charged, taken before the courts and potentially left with criminal convictions attached to their names.
“Before, the police would hold you, charge you and you would appear before the magistrate. Now, once it is 14 grammes or less and you admit it is yours, you are issued a fixed penalty ticket instead,” he said.
However, he stressed that possession above the legal threshold still carries serious legal consequences.
“If you are held with 15 grammes or more, you can still be charged for possession, possession with intent to supply, or trafficking and placed before the courts,” Brathwaite warned.
He added that repeat offenders might also face harsher treatment under the law indicating that authorities remain concerned about growing substance abuse, particularly among young people.
The acting inspector said the legislation also allows intervention measures for people believed to be struggling with marijuana dependency.
“At the point where officers recognise that someone may be addicted, there are avenues for counselling and assistance through the National Council on Substance Abuse,” he explained.
He added that counselling becomes mandatory for offenders aged 18 and under.
Brathwaite also addressed public confusion surrounding medicinal cannabis and the operation of cannabis dispensaries in Barbados.
He explained that medicinal cannabis is governed under separate legislation and is strictly regulated through licensed dispensaries approved by authorities. Those using medicinal cannabis are required to have authorisation through the proper medical and legal channels, allowing law enforcement officials to determine whether they are legally permitted to possess and use the substance for medical purposes.
Not permitted
He stressed, however, that medicinal cannabis users were not permitted to smoke marijuana openly in public spaces.
“Once we venture into medicinal use, let me make it clear that it cannot be for the purpose of smoking,” he said. “Neither is it an edible. It comes in small packages.”
“Only certain doctors have the authority to issue prescriptions for medicinal marijuana,” he said. “This medicinal marijuana is then collected at a therapeutic facility.”
Emphasising the distinction, he added: “Notice I said a therapeutic facility. I didn’t say a dispensary and I didn’t say a pharmacy.”
He further noted that patients approved for medicinal marijuana must always carry proof of authorisation.
“Persons who are on medicinal marijuana must have an ID card indicating this and it must be kept on them at all times,” he said.
The discussion also comes amid continued public debate over cannabis reform in Barbados following the passage of the Sacramental Cannabis Reform Act.
That legislation, passed in 2019, allows Rastafarians and approved religious groups to legally use cannabis for sacramental and religious purposes under regulated conditions.
The law also established a framework permitting authorised religious entities to cultivate cannabis for spiritual rites without fear of prosecution.
Despite those reforms, Brathwaite said the public should not assume cannabis had been fully legalised.
“People have to understand the distinction,” he said. (NS)
