00:00I think I remember Mr. Fernando East. We recall that the former Prime Minister, Mr. Manin, was very much against, the late former Prime Minister, was very much against gambling.
00:13And the research is showing that age is very important at which children, young people get caught up into the gambling and so on.
00:21Prime Minister Kalma Passat-Besessa, she told the House of Representatives that the government's legislative agenda for 2026 includes amendments to seven pieces of legislation that deal with gambling as well as the consumption of cannabis and alcohol in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:39All of these amendments to be brought for us to deal with setting age limits, age limits for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of intoxicating liquor or tobacco to change at age from 18 to 21.
00:57For the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of cannabis from 18 to 21 and in respect of gambling from 21 to 25.
01:05The Prime Minister gave a specific explanation for why her administration wants to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act, as she referred to legislation passed before the 2025 general election.
01:21Since the former government decriminalised cannabis in 2019, the T&T police service raised enforcement and regulatory challenges that have hindered effective policing of the new laws.
01:37Lack of clarity regarding four plants per person, lack of guidelines to ensure cultivation only happens in secure private spaces,
01:46the need to prohibit cannabis use in public places and several other key issues have been raised.
01:51We are looking again, as I say, for reform with respect to that law.
01:56However, we are establishing a medical marijuana industry in Trinidad and Tobago is concerned the Prime Minister announced the administration's plans in that regard.
02:04Cannabis for medicinal purposes, that is something we are actively exploring and that act we seek to provide control of the handling of cannabis for specific purposes.
02:16For the establishment of cannabis for specific purposes, establishing an authority, a licensing association for cannabis.
02:27No further details were provided, such as whether the authority would be based on the model for the medical cannabis industry that exists in parts of the U.S. or in Jamaica.
02:39Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
