An island medical practice today backed the Premier’s commitment to allow the growing of marijuana on the island for medical use.

Kyjuan Brown said his Northshore Medical and Aesthetics Centre was “pleased to hear” that David Burt had promised to help “the plethora of Bermudians who suffer from chronic illnesses and intractable conditions that are treatable or assisted by way of medicinal marijuana,”

He was speaking after Mr Burt announced at a Progressive Labour Party conference on Wednesday that his government will is to issue licences for marijuana to be cultivated on the island for medical use.

Dr Brown’s practice has in the past called for easier access to medical marijuana on behalf of “many suffering patients”.

Michael Weeks, Minister of Social Rehabilitation and Sports, gave the centre a licence to import and prescribe medicinal cannabis for one of its patients earlier this year.

But because of cross-border United Nations treaty obligations, the patient has been unable to receive her medication.

The centre expressed its gratitude towards Mr Weeks and his ministry for working “tirelessly” with the practice to make sure the UN International Control Board is updated with a view to increasing the island’s annual import limit.

Dr Brown said: “We have every confidence that the government will address the short term goal of increasing the annual import limit for medicinal with the UN International Control Board in short order.

“On behalf of many suffering patients here in Bermuda, we take this time to commend the government for moving expeditiously on this matter and we look forward to continuing to work with them to assist with ensuring the implementation of a long-term, sustainable regulatory framework regarding medicinal marijuana in Bermuda.”