In 2025, voters in the Cayman Islands will have the chance to decide whether to relax the country’s marijuana possession laws through a referendum.
The proposed changes, announced by Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan during a press conference, seeks to reclassify the possession of small amounts of marijuana as a minor offense. If passed, the new law would treat minor marijuana possession similarly to a traffic violation, which means it would not result in a criminal record or prison time.
“This government is committed to hearing the will of the people because this subject is more about changing lives than changing laws,” said Bryan.
Currently, Cayman law enforces strict penalties for marijuana possession, with individuals facing up to a year in prison for possessing up to 12 grams. The referendum comes at a time when several other Caribbean nations, such as Jamaica, Antigua, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have taken steps to decriminalize or legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational or sacramental use. The exact amount of marijuana that would be covered under the new Cayman law has yet to be decided.
This move would follow the Cayman Islands’ 2017 legalization of medical marijuana, representing a significant shift in the country’s approach to cannabis. Kenneth Bryan emphasized that the referendum is not just about changing laws but about transforming lives, with the government keen to hear directly from the people on this issue.
Located in the western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands have a population of approximately 70,000 people. The archipelago is known for its strong financial sector and as a tourism destination but has maintained relatively conservative laws regarding recreational marijuana.
