Attorney General John Jeremie SC defended the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, 2026, in the Senate on Tuesday, pointing to research showing that the average age of cannabis initiation in the Caribbean is approximately 13 years.
Opening the debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, he said the proposed reforms are not confined solely to the protection of children, adolescents and youth, but also to young adults between the ages of 18 and 25.
“Although persons within this age bracket have attained the age of majority and enjoy the rights and privileges of adulthood, research increasingly demonstrates that important aspects of neurological, psychological, and emotional development continue throughout this period.”
He went on to cite data from the 2024 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) T&T STEPS survey.
“Alcohol consumption increased significantly from 40.6% in the 2011 survey to 51.5% in their 2024 survey. Tobacco use likewise remained a serious concern, with 21.3% of respondents reporting tobacco consumption. Perhaps more striking, however, was the finding that among persons between the ages of 18 and 44, a group broadly representative of prime adulthood, that’s what is described as in the literature, 28.4% possessed three or more risk factors associated with the development of NCDs.”
Another critical finding explored was a 2018 report by a Regional Commission on CARICOM, which established the socio-economic, health and legal implications of marijuana use.
“That report said that the average age of initiation to cannabis in the Caribbean was approximately 13 years. The Commission stated that because the adolescent brain is in a state of critical development, it is particularly susceptible to the effects of marijuana. They said cannabis/marijuana use before the age of 24 was not recommended, as it may affect memory, learning, attention, may put youth at risk for early onset of psychosis.”
AG Jeremie pointed out that countries such as the United States, Canada, and Sri Lanka have imposed a minimum age limit for people to engage in the consumption of alcohol, with the US reporting a 16% reduction in motor vehicle crashes.