Antigua moves to clear minor cannabis convictions

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking a significant step towards criminal justice reform by proposing legislation aimed at expunging criminal records for individuals convicted of possessing small amounts of cannabis. 

This initiative will clear the records of those affected, enabling them to legally declare a lack of prior arrests or juvenile delinquency in various legal and professional contexts.

Scheduled parliamentary consideration

In a pivotal move scheduled for July, the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will convene to discuss and potentially pass this transformative legislation. 

This development follows a historical context where previous attempts at expunging minor offenses, enacted in 2013, were not implemented.

Alignment with decriminalization efforts

The proposed legislation builds on the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act of March 2018, which decriminalized the possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis or cannabis resin. 

Notably, while this amendment eased penalties for small-scale possession, it did not legalize the sale of cannabis, and strict penalties remain for such activities. 

Additionally, current regulations allow households to cultivate no more than four cannabis plants, with possession beyond this limit still considered illegal.