The Bermuda Government is progressing efforts to establish a regulated medical cannabis framework, aiming to balance patient access with clinical judgment and robust safeguards. Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, informed the House of Assembly that the proposed structure is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The objective is to create a safe and lawful pathway for patients with legitimate medical needs, while preventing misuse and diversion, according to a report by The Royal Gazette. This initiative seeks to integrate approved cannabis-based medicines and regulated medical cannabis products into the existing controlled prescription medication system.
Principles of the Medical Cannabis Framework
Minister Weeks outlined four core principles guiding the development of Bermuda’s medical cannabis framework. These principles are intended to ensure that the eventual legislation is practical, enforceable, and serves the public interest:
- Medical Autonomy: Registered physicians in Bermuda should retain the professional judgment to determine the clinical appropriateness of cannabis-based treatments for patients. This principle underscores the role of healthcare professionals in patient care decisions.
- Patient Protection and Access: Bermudians suffering from serious or chronic medical conditions should have the ability to access approved therapeutic treatments through a safe, lawful, and medically supervised process. This aims to address the needs of patients who may benefit from such treatments.
- Public Safety and Accountability: Any framework permitting medical cannabis must incorporate robust safeguards, clear standards, and effective oversight mechanisms. These measures are designed to prevent misuse, diversion, and abuse, while ensuring proper clinical governance across the system.
- Regulatory Consistency: Cannabis-based medicines should be regulated within Bermuda’s existing healthcare and controlled-drug framework, rather than through the creation of a separate or parallel regime. This approach seeks to streamline regulatory processes and avoid fragmentation.
The Minister emphasised that the work remains in development, and no final legislative model has been settled. This intentional approach allows for careful coordination across government ministries to ensure the framework is comprehensive and aligns with various policy domains, including healthcare regulation, controlled drug legislation, and public safety.
Existing Cannabinoid Medicines and Prescribing Pathways
Bermuda’s legislators previously approved the use of three synthetic marijuana-derived medications in 2014. These include Dronabinol, also known as Marinol, and Nabilone, or Cesamet, both of which are used to treat nausea. The third approved drug is Nabiximols, also called Sativex, which is prescribed for the treatment of muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis. The current proposal seeks to integrate a broader range of approved cannabis-based medicines and regulated medical cannabis products into the same regulatory category as these existing controlled prescription medications.
Under the proposed framework, only registered medical practitioners would be permitted to prescribe approved cannabis products for medical use. Similarly, only licensed pharmacies and approved medical entities would be authorised to import and dispense these products. Minister Weeks clarified in the House of Assembly that no additional licenses would be required for registered doctors or pharmacists to dispense medical cannabis products, streamlining the process for existing healthcare providers.
International Alignment and Policy Evolution
The Bermuda Government’s approach is designed to align with international best practices and remains fully consistent with its obligations under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. This convention expressly permits the medical and scientific use of cannabis under strict regulatory control. Minister Weeks noted that other countries with comparable legal and healthcare systems, such as Canada, Britain, Australia, and some Caribbean jurisdictions, have already introduced similar cannabis frameworks, indicating that Bermuda’s strategy is neither experimental nor reckless.
This cautious, evidence-informed approach is centered firmly on healthcare regulation and patient wellbeing. The policy evolution in Bermuda has seen various stages. The Progressive Labour Party’s platform, launched ahead of the 2025 General Election, committed to reviewing and updating cannabis-related guidance, regulations, and oversight. This commitment followed a period where the controversial Cannabis Licensing Act 2022 faced significant scrutiny. Former Governor Rena Lalgie reserved assent on the Act, citing inconsistencies with what she understood to be obligations held by Britain and Bermuda under UN conventions.
Premier David Burt had previously stated his intention not to tailor the government’s proposal to license cannabis production solely to fit British rules allowing only medicinal use. However, by 2025, the stance had softened, with the Premier telling The Royal Gazette that if the UK was not willing to go to the level of the 2020 platform, then Bermuda needed to put forward a proposal that could meet within their aims. This indicates a pragmatic adjustment in policy direction to ensure the viability of the legislative efforts.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
