Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department had with the Government of Bermuda on the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 before announcing that the UK Government would not Assent to the Bill as drafted.

Bermuda's constitution provides for the Governor to reserve assent of legislation which do not appear to be compatible with international obligations. The Foreign Secretary carefully considered the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 and concluded that it is contrary to the UK's and Bermuda's obligations under the UN Conventions, which prohibit the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. The UK is responsible for the Overseas Territories' compliance with international law, and assent was not therefore given. Prior to the legislation being presented for assent, UK officials offered and continue to make themselves available to the Government of Bermuda to discuss the policy and how the UK can support Bermuda.