Work is ongoing to “finalise a constructive resolution” over cannabis legislation stopped from becoming law after the Governor refused to give it consent.

The Cannabis Licensing Bill was passed in the House of Assembly in 2022, but Rena Lalgie, the Governor, said she had been “instructed” by Britain to refuse assent as it breached international convention obligations.

This time last year, Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General, told the House that $50,000 had been budgeted for more work on the legalisation.

Yesterday, the Minister of Legal Affairs told MPs during the Budget debate on her ministry that another $50,000 had been set aside for work on the Bill.

“The Government continues to recognise the myriad benefits that cannabis reform can bring and the ministry will continue to provide support for the advancement of this initiative in compliance with international conventions,” she said.

Ms Simmons added that work continued “to finalise a constructive resolution in compliance with international conventions”.

The legislation would have created a regulated framework for the growth and sale of the drug.

It would also have created a series of licences, which would have been available through a licensing authority, which would have allowed people to not only possess more of the drug, but also to grow, harvest, sell and export it.