Cannabis legalisation goes back to House of Assembly today
A controversial move to legalise cannabis will go back to the House of Assembly today.
The legislation was earlier blocked by the Senate – but the Upper House can only hold up Bills for a year before they go back to MPs for another vote.
Lawrence Scott, the transport minister, will outline what impact sanctions against Russia will have on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry as Russian invaders continue to ravage Ukraine.
David Burt, the Premier, has already said that UK sanctions against Moscow would also apply in Bermuda.
Mr Burt added: “There are approximately 900 aircraft on the registry and approximately 740 are utilised by Russian operators. The majority of these aircraft are owned by leasing companies based in Ireland.”
Mr Scott will also table the Bermuda Airport Authority’s annual report for the three financial years to 2020/21.
Cole Simons, the One Bermuda Alliance leader, will deliver the Opposition’s response to last week’s Budget statement before the debate on the year’s financial blueprint begins.
The Cannabis Licensing Act 2022, tabled by Kathy Lynn Simmons, the legal affairs minister and Attorney-General, was drawn up to make recreational use of cannabis legal and to regulate production of the drug.
But, if passed as is likely, the legislation could create a flashpoint with Britain as Rena Lalgie, the Governor, has made it clear that the legislation would breach British international treaty obligations.
David Burt, the Premier, raised the stakes after he insisted that refusal of Royal Assent for the Act would “destroy” the island’s relationship with Britain.
He insisted that laws passed by the Bermuda Parliament should not be vetoed by London.
But Ms Lalgie made it clear that Britain was bound by international treaty conditions that forbid the legalisation of cannabis for anything other than medicinal and scientific use.
Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, will return to front line politics after an absence of several months and will deliver the Bermuda Housing Trust financial statement for the year ended March 31, 2021.
Susan Jackson, the OBA shadow education minister, will ask how the Government is assessing the effect of “learning loss” experienced by pupils during school closures and remote learning imposed because of Covid-19.
Ms Jackson will also ask what plans were in place to assess school leavers “applying for higher education and would possibly not be at the level required of them for colleges and universities overseas”.
Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, will table an environmental report – “Bermuda and Climate Change: A Study to determine the Impacts from Sea Level Rise and Changing Storm Activity”.
Diallo Rabain will deliver an “update on Education Reform – Signature Schools” and Jason Hayward, the labour minister, will present the latest news on government’s economic recovery plan.
The Investment Business Amendment Act 2021 will get a second reading. as will the Municipalities Amendment Act 2022 and the Equality Act 2021.
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