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The issue of medical cannabis laws is gradually growing to be an important healthcare policy question in Bermuda as the government moves towards a regulation model that will allow patients to access cannabis through a regulated system. The proposed changes have a goal of ensuring that patients get better access to the drug through medical practitioners and licensed distributors while keeping the safety of the patients intact.
On May 15, 2026, the Government of Bermuda officially announced that there were ongoing efforts to introduce a regulated system of medical cannabis use in the country. A later official statement by the government indicated the fourth quarter of 2026 as the expected implementation date for hemp and medical cannabis reforms.
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Different options were discussed by the Bermuda government regarding the way of cannabis regulation. Various methods of providing medicinal cannabis products to the relevant individuals as well as regulations on prescription, dispensation, licensing, and distribution have been discussed.
In December 2019, the government released the draft of the Medicinal Cannabis Act 2019 for public consultations. The draft contained the scheme of licensing aimed at regulating medicinal cannabis activities, including prescribing, dispensing, cultivation, and manufacturing. In addition, the draft took into consideration the establishment of an organization that would control the whole proposed scheme.
However, broader reforms in the cannabis sphere faced certain legal barriers. In September 2022, the governor rejected Royal Assent to the Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 due to issues regarding its consistency with international obligations.
The May 2026 announcement by the government made it clear that the Cabinet has agreed on advancing the development of policy and legislation towards a regulated medical cannabis program.
The stated goal is to increase access to patients with legitimate needs while ensuring that misuse, unapproved distribution, and diversion are prevented.
There are certain priorities recognized by the government, including
It was mentioned in the subsequent ministerial statement that drafting instructions have been given to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the fourth quarter of 2026 has been set as the date of the initial implementation of the reform of hemp and medical cannabis legislation.
The proposed structure aims to bring cannabis products into the structure of a controlled healthcare system. Despite the final details of the proposed regulations not being finalized by the time of the May announcement, there are several key features of the proposed approach defined by the government.
1. Prescriptions by Registered Medical Practitioners
According to the proposed plan, registered medical practitioners would prescribe approved cannabis products for medical purposes.
It would be necessary for a healthcare provider to decide about the clinical suitability of the treatment for a specific patient. It is necessary to specify the required criteria in the final regulations, including the prescribed cannabis products, etc.
A prescription cannot be regarded as a general permit for using all available cannabis products and their methods of use.
2. Dispensation by Authorized Pharmacies
The government proposes that licensed pharmacies and approved medical facilities should be responsible for importing and dispensing eligible cannabis products.
There should be provisions for protection of the patients from any harm and to prevent illicit distribution in a regulated framework.
These may include provisions relating to product approval, storage conditions, documentation, inspection procedures, and duties of providers and distributors, depending upon the final regulations.
Such provisions are essential, as patients require dependable information about the products, while the regulatory agencies require means for oversight.
The aim of the government here is to provide medicinal marijuana in a regulated fashion through legitimate medical channels.
The recommended framework, when fully implemented, can facilitate patient access to medicinal cannabis via healthcare practitioners and approved dispensers.
Nonetheless, eligibility criteria and the process of gaining access will be subject to the final legislative and regulatory regime. It is important to note that just having a certain condition does not automatically make one eligible for medicinal cannabis treatment.
Steps individuals seeking medicinal cannabis need to take include the following:
Having a prescription issued by a foreign country is not necessarily sufficient for importing and possession of medicinal cannabis in Bermuda.
The international regulations on drugs form one of the crucial aspects of the cannabis policy in Bermuda.
This can be attributed to the fact that the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, provides an international regulation scheme for some substances while allowing their medical and scientific uses through the necessary controls.
The government of Bermuda has used the international regulations in justifying the policy on medical cannabis regulation that it intends to implement.
Medical and recreational cannabis fall into different policy domains. While a medical model typically centers around the therapeutic purpose, clinical evaluation, authorized products, and controlled distribution, etc., recreational cannabis legislation addresses issues related to the nonmedical use of the drug.
The Government of Bermuda has specifically stated that policies around medical cannabis and hemp are not part of a general adult-use cannabis policy regime. That requires consideration of various legal, regulatory, health, and constitutional aspects.
Moreover, it needs to be highlighted that decriminalization does not imply full legalization of cannabis. According to Bermuda’s government guidelines on public awareness, cannabis continues to be a controlled substance pursuant to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1972, and the 2017 amendment regarding personal possession of small quantities did not legalize cannabis use.
It will be determined by legislation drafting, ratification of the relevant legislation, and regulation development.
There are several points that still deserve attention:
It will define the actual working process. Patients, healthcare professionals, and business owners need to pay attention to the relevant statements from the government.
Is the use of medical cannabis allowed in Bermuda?
The use of cannabis continues to be controlled in accordance with Bermuda’s currently available laws for controlled drugs; however, some exemptions for medicinal uses of cannabis are available. The Government of Bermuda is working on a more elaborate approach to regulating medical cannabis.
Is it possible to import medical cannabis into Bermuda?
Under the draft framework, it is impossible to directly import cannabis-based medicines. All individuals carrying such medicines should familiarize themselves with the appropriate requirements prior to departure.
When will the new law enter into force?
According to the Government of Bermuda, the fourth quarter of 2026 is expected to be the timeframe for implementation of the new law on hemp and medical cannabis.
Legalizing recreational marijuana use through medical cannabis reforms?
Not necessarily. Reforms of medical cannabis laws and adult-use laws are two distinct issues in the field of legislation.
There are efforts by the Bermudan government to establish regulations around medical marijuana usage. There are announcements from the government in 2026 to show that efforts to develop legislation are underway and the first implementation of the regulations will be done in the fourth quarter. It is important that patients and enterprises are able to separate proposals and laws.
The most accurate source of information is the Government of Bermuda.
Government of Bermuda — Medical Cannabis Framework (May 15, 2026)
Read the official announcement.
2. Government of Bermuda—Advancing Public Safety Across the Ministry of National Security (2026)
Read the ministerial statement
3. Government of Bermuda — Medicinal Cannabis Bill Consultation (2019)
Read the 2019 announcement
4. Government of Bermuda — Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022
Read the 2022 announcement
5. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime —
Read the convention
