Is Marijuana Legal in The Cayman Islands?
Cannabis is illegal in the Cayman Islands for recreational use, and violators are subject to the island’s drug laws. However, recent law changes allow doctors to prescribe cannabis oil products, like extracts and tinctures, for medical purposes.
Patients must have a qualifying condition to receive an authorization to use medical cannabis. Once approved, they may purchase cannabis oil, capsules, or topicals for medicinal use from a licensed pharmacy.
Medical Marijuana Laws in The Cayman Islands
The Misuse of Drugs Law governs the Cayman Islands’ cannabis regulations and was passed in 1975 at the height of global prohibition legislation. The law bans using, cultivating, possessing, and selling cannabis except for medical use.
While medical marijuana was technically allowed, there was no legal framework for doctors to provide CBD oil or other cannabis medicine to their patients, making it effectively outlawed.
In 2016, Cayman Island Governor Helen Kilpatrick passed changes to the Misuse of Drugs Law which clarified who could legally possess medical cannabis and allowed for the import of products by physicians. Per the revisions, possessing and purchasing cannabis extracts and tinctures would be legal if patients acquired their medicine from a pharmacy.
Patients may be prescribed medical marijuana for certain qualifying conditions, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy
- Nausea from chemotherapy
- Multiple sclerosis
The law’s changes were enacted in May 2017, but some uncertainty in the law’s wording has caused controversy.
The law allows “cannabis extracts and tinctures” but doesn’t specify which cannabinoids can be used or what the legal possession limits are. For some, this has created some concern about upholding the ban on personal use or sale, as a doctor’s note could mask these activities.
In 2022, The Cayman Islands’ Parliament voted to approve a referendum to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession, set for the following year.
Voters will decide in 2023 whether to decriminalize cannabis, which could pave the way for a Cayman Islands cannabis or industrial hemp industry.
What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in the Cayman Islands
Medical cannabis laws differ depending on your location, and the Caymans are no exception. Always check the cannabis laws in the area you’re planning to visit. And, when in doubt, it may be wise to refrain from cannabis use when traveling to a new destination.
Cannabis Oil Is Legal for Medical Use
In the Cayman Islands, doctors can prescribe cannabis products for medical use, importing the prescribed drug from other countries.
Only Certain Consumption Methods Are Allowed
Oil vaporizers, capsules, tinctures, and oils are the only consumption methods allowed for medical purposes. Smoking weed (i.e., cannabis flower) and eating edibles are prohibited.
Recreational Cannabis Is Illegal
The sale, possession, or use of cannabis without a prescription is against the law. Violations can occur, including severe penalties, such as imprisonment and hefty fines.
Traveling With Cannabis Is Illegal
It’s illegal to cross Cayman Islands’ borders with cannabis, even with a prescription. Doctors may only import cannabis from other countries via licensed pharmacies.
The Cayman Islands Is Subject to British Law
As the Cayman Islands is a British territory, the region’s laws are subject to approval by the British government. The Governor approved medical marijuana, but future legislation is accountable to this consideration.
Can You Grow Cannabis in the Cayman Islands?
No, you cannot grow cannabis in the Cayman Islands. The cultivation of cannabis anywhere in the Cayman Islands is against the law.
The Bottom Line
Patients with a qualifying medical condition can work with their doctor to explore medical marijuana as a therapeutic tool. Otherwise, cannabis is illegal in the Cayman Islands, though upcoming legislation may decriminalize the plant.