A group tasked with investigating cannabis reform in Bermuda expects to have its findings before Government later this year, according Cannabis Reform Collaborative member Stratton Hatfield.

The CRC also plans to deliver hypothetical figures for the income that could be raised in Bermuda by a Colorado-style legalisation and sale.

In the wake of the US state’s landmark decision to approve regulated sales of the drug, many have questioned whether Colorado’s high prices — reportedly up to $400 per ounce — would put any kind of dent in the illegal market for the drug.

Mr Hatfield said it was too early to comment on a potential pricing structure in Bermuda, if the Island chose to embrace outright legalisation.

“We’re going to be researching and reviewing all jurisdictions that have changed their policies around cannabis, and we have a subgroup established to review and estimate the potential revenues,” Mr Hatfield said.

“We’ve only just started with our research, so it’s not safe for us to say what we’re planning. However, our intent is to produce a final document for Government to consider this in the summer legislative season.”

The CRC’s work has been commended by the group Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB), who have called repeatedly for a re-examination of Bermuda’s laws.

Convictions for small amounts of the drug disproportionately target black Bermudians, according to CURB.

In a statement issued by group president Lynne Winfield, CURB said the Collaborative’s final report to Government could stand as one of the most significant of the decade.

“CURB’s Racial Justice Platform, released in November 2012, called for the decriminalisation of cannabis. It stated that CURB sees no need to make criminals out of individuals who use small amounts of marijuana for personal use. CURB continues to stand by that statement and believes our society will best be served by no longer having people enter our criminal justice system for what are called ‘victimless crimes’, which for many result in lifelong stigma and lost educational and work opportunities.”

The CRC’s work, which combines an examination of current policy and the local impact of the drug with research and policies in other countries, was welcomed as “a hopeful sign that Bermuda is taking its first steps towards a restorative justice approach to the criminal justice system”.

The group is looking forward to meeting with the CRC, Ms Winfield added.

“The work of the CRC will not only bring about possible legislative and policy changes, but will have a huge impact from the human perspective. As such the CRC’s report is likely to be one of the most important documents submitted to the Government and the people of Bermuda in this decade.”

According to the latest report of the Bermuda Drug Information Network (BerDIN), there were 18 convictions for possession of cannabis logged in 2012, and two cases of cultivation.

Also for that year, the group reported 511g of cannabis, valued at $25,554, seized on the Island’s streets — and 143,041g worth $7.15 million, seized in Bermuda’s ports.

Cannabis resin seizures were far less prevalent: 2g with an estimated value of $164 were taken off the streets; 60g worth $6,000 were netted in ports.

There were also 69 cannabis plants seized in 2012.

During 2012, 265 people were convicted for possession of cannabis, with a further 25 convicted of possession with intent to supply, and 11 convicted of importation. Those numbers dropped markedly from the previous year, when police logged 445 convictions for possession and 50 convictions for possession with intent to supply — with 26 people convicted of attempting to smuggle the drug into the Island.