Statement on the Premier’s Update Regarding Cannabis Decriminalisation and the National Lottery

In light of the recent update provided by the Honourable Premier regarding the timelines of the Law Reform Commission (LRC), the Opposition welcomes the clarification now given to the public. The issues of cannabis decriminalisation and the establishment of a national lottery are matters of significant national importance. They require careful, evidence-based consideration, and above all, transparency. For some time, the Opposition has called for these matters to be addressed openly and with proper public engagement. It is therefore encouraging to see further confirmation that the Law Reform Commission is making progress with reviewing the legal frameworks governing both proposals. However, genuine respect for the people’s voice requires more than procedural updates given after insistence by the Opposition. It requires full finely disclosure. “The Caymanian people deserve transparency from start to finish on issues of this importance,” said Hon. Joseph Hew, Leader of the Opposition. “Once the Law Reform Commission has completed its work, its recommendations must be made public in full so that Caymanians can understand the facts, the analysis, and the direction being proposed.” Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Kenneth Bryan, added, “These matters have been in public discussion for years, and Caymanians have consistently called for fairness, accountability, and the right to make informed choices. The public must be properly engaged, and the process must be open.” While the Opposition welcomes this update, it must also be noted that the Premier and several members of his Government previously did not support the people’s right to choice on these issues, despite strong public interest and ongoing national discussion. The recommendations of the Law Reform Commission, once received, should be released in their entirety. The public is entitled to see the analysis, reasoning, and conclusions that will inform any future policy direction on these important matters. Accordingly, the Premier should commit, at the next sitting of Parliament, to making the LRC’s recommendations public immediately upon receipt. Also to give a timeline for this to happen. These are not issues to be considered behind closed doors. They must be debated transparently and with the people fully informed