The Government knew the United Kingdom would reject its controversial plans to legalise the use and production of cannabis, Curtis Dickinson has revealed.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, was “instructed” by the British foreign secretary to refuse to give the Cannabis Licensing Bill Royal Assent – meaning the legislation could not become law – because it clashed with UK international treaty obligations.

Former finance minister Mr Dickinson, who is challenging David Burt for the position of PLP party leader and therefore premier, said he had tried “weed” in college, but his position has now evolved and he would not want to see his children smoking the drug.

Regarding the proposed legislation, Mr Dickinson told The Royal Gazette: “I think that we may have overstepped the mark in that we knew from a policy prospective that what we were proposing was outside what was prepared to be accepted by the UK.

“I think we have to look at it again with a view to trying to stay in the UN convention and work with the UK government on that issue.”

Asked what he made of views expressed by Mr Burt last year that refusal to grant Royal Assent would “destroy” Bermuda’s relationship with Britain, Mr Dickinson said: “I wouldn’t have made those remarks.”

Pressed on whether he had ever tried cannabis Mr Dickinson said: “I tried it when I was in college.

“I have been a young adult who tried weed. And, I have also been the parent of a young adult who has tried weed.

“And, the opinions of an 18-year-old without any real responsibility are very different from a 50-something-year-old parent, and my position on that has evolved.

“I would rather that my children not smoke, but, I do understand that in our modern society there has been some relaxation of the views on this.

“And, I think in a contemporary society that governments need to be thoughtful about it.

“I think the initiative around decriminalising possessions of small amounts was a good idea.

“But, I think we should be actively encouraging our young people to abstain from drugs like that.”