The longstanding controversy surrounding cannabis legislation in Trinidad and Tobago has resurfaced with renewed intensity, highlighting decades of regulatory ambiguity and its profound societal consequences. Historical records indicate that marijuana was legally sold throughout the Caribbean nation until the early 1940s, primarily within rural communities, before prohibition measures took effect—a move some analysts attribute to pressure from the rum industry.
Despite widespread global liberalization trends—including 39 U.S. states legalizing medicinal or recreational cannabis—Trinidad and Tobago maintains strict prohibitions. This sustained illegality has fostered a substantial underground market, with significant quantities smuggled from Venezuela. The persistent black market trade has been linked to escalating violent crimes and substantial capital flight, draining valuable U.S. dollar reserves from the national economy.
In a partial response to these challenges, the Keith Rowley administration enacted legislation permitting citizens to cultivate up to four cannabis plants. However, the policy lacked critical implementation details regarding sourcing approved seeds or designated cultivation areas, rendering the reform largely ineffective.
The political landscape further complicated when Prime Minister Rowley transitioned power to Stuart Young, whose subsequent election call resulted in defeat. Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s United National Congress capitalized on the issue, promising full legalization through prominent newspaper advertisements during their campaign.
Current discourse centers on whether maintaining prohibition inadvertently benefits criminal enterprises through sustained profitability of illegal trade, while society bears the costs of associated violence and economic damage.