Bahamas
North America
#35 of 196 worldwide
#14 of 23 in North America
The 2024 Cannabis Act legalised medical and religious use and replaced prosecution for up to 30 g with a fixed penalty.
Score breakdown ▏world average
Select a segment to show or hide the exact rules and sources.
Possession · 25%3/10adds 7.5 of 25 points
Under the cannabis reform package passed in 2024, possession of less than 30 g is no longer prosecuted: it carries a $250 fixed penalty that leaves no criminal record if paid on time. Larger amounts remain criminal. Implementation has been gradual as the new Cannabis Authority is set up.
Personal cultivation · 25%1/10adds 2.5 of 25 points
Home growing for personal use is not permitted. Cultivation requires a licence from the Cannabis Authority.
Punishment & enforcement · 20%4/10adds 8.0 of 20 points
A fixed penalty for under 30 g; prosecution and possible prison for larger quantities and unlicensed dealing.
Sharing & gifting · 10%1/10adds 1.0 of 10 points
Supply outside the licensed medical and religious channels remains an offence.
Consumption · 10%2/10adds 2.0 of 10 points
Recreational use remains unlawful and is covered by the fixed penalty. Rastafari may use cannabis as a sacrament under a religious-use licence.
Legal access · 10%1/10adds 1.0 of 10 points
No adult-use sales. The law provides retail licences for medical, research and religious supply only.
More context not part of the score
The Cannabis Authority issues cultivation, manufacturing, retail, testing, research, transport and religious-use licences, with ownership rules favouring Bahamians.
Medical products through licensed retailers as the system comes online.
Legal under the 2024 law on a practitioner's prescription, through licensed outlets. The system is new.
The reform provides for expunging existing records for possession of small amounts.
All sources
- Marijuana Moment — Bahamas government unveils proposal to legalize marijuana for medical, religious and scientific use
- Jamaica Gleaner — Bahamas introduces bills to legalise marijuana for medical and religious use
- Eyewitness News — Government unveils legislation to decriminalise cannabis for medical, research and religious use
Last updated: