As you move around Barbados on the byways and byways or attend public gatherings, the pungent smell of cannabis is sure to assail the nostrils. The use of cannabis has become so prevalent that there is an attempt by the police public relations department to educate Barbadians about law governing the use of the illegal substance.
There is the reminder that the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Act, 2020 decriminalised small amounts of cannabis in Barbados. Decriminalised means, it is illegal to be caught with cannabis which is punishable by a fine instead of a criminal charge. If it is was legal, there would be no penalty.
| Amount of Cannabis | Legal Outcome | Law Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 grams or less | $200 fixed penalty ticket (no criminal record) | Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Act, 2020 |
| More than 14 grams | Criminal charge under the main Act | Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act |
The sad but unsurprising reality is that the Barbados Police Service (BFS) has been unable to enforce the law and the use of cannabis is now commonplace. Some will say, what is new, it reminds us of our inability to enforce the traffic laws, particularly as it relates to public service vehicles (PSVs), private use of the roads and dumping of garbage. We are a country that has become weak on enforcing laws. Our challenge to enforce laws clearly signals a breakdown in our governance framework, not just policing. The rule of law has shifted from being a non negotiable, to the BPS and government officials ‘begging’ citizens daily to comply with the law.
When public trust is eroded in a key state agency like the BPS, it must have serious implications for maintaining law and order. Too many Barbadians have stopped believing in the justice system. If our society is unable to function to protect the people by holding lawbreakers accountable, there is bound to be the chaos we are witnessing in Barbados. Illegal behaviour is being normalized.
Are we there yet?
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