The Director of Public Prosecutions, Rory Field, has said that people caught with possessing small amounts of cannabis could now be given a Police caution, saving them from a criminal conviction.

This newspaper talked to people in Hamilton to find out what they thought about the initiative.

Quardel Matthews said: "I would say it's a good thing. They should just caution us instead of paying a big fine. I have been cautioned before. They told me don't worry about it, we're looking for guns."

A 55-year-old, named Derek, agreed with the initiative and said: "Unless you're importing the stuff and your intention is to make big profits on the streets, if it's just small possession, I don't think they should punish you for that. The worst they should do is give you a fine like a parking ticket. You shouldn't be stopped for a small amount. I don't think it's as bad as the other stuff.

A 50-year-old, named Kevin, said: "If you're going to give a caution, the underlying statement is that there's nothing wrong with it.

"The way they have been carrying on with guns and stuff then if they let it slide, they're saying there's not much wrong with it. Legalise it all together. Most people know there's nothing wrong with it."

Imari Wade, 23, said: "I agree with it. Point blank they know a lot of people smoke weed and if they're going to continue to give these fines, it's going to be pointless. They should understand that people are going to smoke it. Let them have enough for personal use. It could ruin someone's life if you're on the stop list and can't go away to school. I think it's a good idea."

A 54-year-old man, who didn't want to be named, said: "I don't agree with cautioning. A small fine, maybe. They're doing something illegal in the first place. If you park your car illegally, you get a fine."

Writing on our Facebook fans page, Tori Lindo said: "I think it is a fair thing, right or wrong, I am not sure. "But at the end of the day if a man can be the President of a country and say that he has smoked, then why should some kid suffer the rest of his life and not be able to go to that country, for what is considered a misdemeanour in the rest of the world."

Timothy Tavares said: "So will people that get caught with little bits of ammunition get a caution too? The message being sent is it is now going to be OK to carry around small amounts of an illegal substance, setting precedence, small amounts of heroin and crack next?

"Laws and penalties should be getting tougher not weaker. How come Bermudians do not get that illegal means illegal? Is this word not taught to our children in the schools here?"