Can the requirements of the licence types be improved in any way?

The public should be provided free unbiased education modules about Cannabis for all ages in all media types. The basic history, photographs, effects, uses, first aid in case of overdose, benefits, risks and current regulations would be a starting point. This would dispel myths, allow intelligent decisions, and encourage workforce safety. It would protect the citizens (voters) from claims of unscrupulous sales pitches, and reduce the impact on the health care industry from illness brought on by mixing the cannabis with other medications or taking too strong of a product, whether for medicinal or recreational purpose. The other special licenses have not been granted without passing some sort of qualifying test and this should be no different. Anyone who wants any of the licenses should take a test showing their basic knowledge of the effects of cannabis, with and without THC, on the human body, which would be on the information in the public free educational modules. Proof of knowledge of the intricacies of the type of license for which they are applying may also be requested. After that they can pay an appropriate fee for the privilege of having the license. Lets defer this bill for three reasons - 1. intelligent decision making for the safety of the general public, by first providing unbiased education 2. to draft and pass a law expunging the criminal records of all who have been judged in the past for possession of small amounts of cannabis, as without this a large segment of the public will not be able to benefit from medical cannabis or engage in the commercial aspects of this proposed law. 3. to put into place the healthcare infrastructure to manage the adverse effects and treatment for the mental health issues which THC-containing cannabis can uncover, as explained by Ms. Madeiros in her post. Bermudian ingenuity with international cooperation has proven to be outstanding in the management of COVID-19, so I envision the same reputation in the issue of our management of Cannabis.

I have long thought that the laws around cannabis are unjust. To see Bermuda taking a step in the right direction is beautiful, but it must be done effectively and with purpose There are multiple ways in which this legislation can be improved so that many Bermudians can benefit. I noticed that not many young people have commented on this, so I would like to provide a voice for Bermuda's youth. I am 18 years old. Firstly, I believe that you should be able to work in a dispensary if you are 18+. If I am allowed to bartend at 18, I should be allowed to work in a retail cannabis shop at 18. There are many people between the ages 18-20 who are very knowledgeable in both cannabis and customer service, and would be extremely valuable additions to a cannabis business. This also provides 18 year olds with the opportunity to enter the cannabis business, a fast growing worldwide industry, and would only provide young Bermudians with more opportunity.

I have long thought that the laws around cannabis are unjust. To see Bermuda taking a step in the right direction is beautiful, but it must be done effectively and with purpose There are multiple ways in which this legislation can be improved so that many Bermudians can benefit. I noticed that not many young people have commented on this, so I would like to provide a voice for Bermuda's youth. I am 18 years old. Firstly, I believe that you should be able to work in a dispensary if you are 18+. If I am allowed to bartend at 18, I should be allowed to work in a retail cannabis shop at 18. There are many people between the ages 18-20 who are very knowledgeable in both cannabis and customer service, and would be extremely valuable additions to a cannabis business. This also provides 18 year olds with the opportunity to enter the cannabis business, a fast growing worldwide industry, and would only provide young Bermudians with more opportunity.

For personal cultivation, the government shouldn't be allowed to dictate whether or not a young family can grow or not if they can pay for the license then they can grow. The who concept with not allowing personal cultivation licenses to household with children under the age of 16 is devastating. I was to start a family of my own in the future, yet I would be faced with decisions that should have to be a decision.

I oppose the proposed legislation

The licence requirements could be improved through the addition of quality control mechanisms specifically related to the cultivation and processing of cannabis. These suggestions are addressed, in part, in question #1. Of particular interest are the following key points: • Distinct physical security requirements should be established for all licence types, taking into consideration the amount and type of product to be present at a site under a given licence. For example, cannabis extracts are higher valued at a lower amount (volume) compared to dried cannabis at the same equivalency amount. For research and analytical testing licences, it may be more reasonable to focus security requirements on the storage areas. • Mandatory product testing should be included for cultivation and manufacturing licence types. Product testing is a keystone of ensuring that safe production practices are being effectively implemented. There are no restrictions on pesticides present in the Bermuda Cannabis Act, which specifically puts the health of consumers at risk. Heavy metal contamination of cannabis concentrates also needs to be addressed. • Quality assurance requirements for cannabis, cannabis products, and any ingredient to be used in a cannabis product should be considered to ensure safe and quality cannabis is produced and sold to the public. This should involve prescriptive requirements for processes (e.g. standard operating procedures, controls, etc.), premises (e.g. building construction, process flow), and personnel (e.g. qualifications). Consideration to be taken as to whether a quality standard for cannabis production should be met e.g. EU Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Canadian Good Production Practices (GPP), etc. • For manufacturers that are producing cannabis edibles and/or cannabis topicals, the proposed Bermuda Cannabis Act should include consideration to any applicable existing food and/or cosmetic regulations respectively.

No opposition to it as a drug, essentially I look at it like alcohol. One major difference is that alcohol cannot be shared involuntarily, alcohol is contained in a glass - SMOKE is not. It is illegal now but yet I've been hot boxed in public places and gotten a little high - I didn't want to get high, not even a little. It's not my drug of choice. An emphasis should be made to contain the smoke - maybe larger penalties for smoking in public, explicit language to consider/protect neighbors, and/or limit legal use to edibles and vape pens... And, like drinking alcohol, it's not fair to kids and their developing brains to smell marijuana smoke. I DON'T MIND YOU SMOKING IT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO