Young women participating in Antigua and Barbuda’s Young Women in Leadership programme engaged in a spirited parliamentary debate on cannabis legislation during a special sitting marking International Women’s Day.
The mock parliamentary session examined a motion to establish a Joint Select Committee to review cannabis-related laws, including the Misuse of Drugs amendments and the Cannabis Act 2022, through a human-rights and gender-responsive lens.
Participants argued both for and against the proposal, raising issues ranging from youth protection and economic opportunities to enforcement challenges and the role of parliamentary oversight.
The motion was introduced with the argument that legislation must be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains effective as society evolves. One speaker told the chamber that “a responsible government does not just pass reforms, it safeguards and ensures that its citizens are taken care of,” noting that education and awareness campaigns—particularly in schools—should form part of any review of cannabis policy.
Supporters of the motion said a joint select committee would allow Parliament to consult experts and community stakeholders while examining the social, economic and public health effects of the country’s cannabis reforms.
A participant speaking in support of the review said the cannabis sector should create opportunities for the wider population and not “be confined to a few,” while also ensuring fairness and respect for human rights.
Others argued that a structured review could identify gaps in public education, policing and regulation while helping to protect young people and strengthen economic participation in the emerging cannabis industry.
However, several speakers opposed the proposal, questioning whether establishing a new committee was necessary.
One participant warned that Parliament had already made significant reforms to cannabis laws in recent years and argued that society was still adjusting to those changes. The speaker cautioned that reopening the framework too quickly could create uncertainty and confusion about the country’s policy direction.
Another participant suggested that existing government departments and institutions already have the expertise to analyze legislation and provide recommendations without creating an additional parliamentary body.
Concerns were also raised about public health, with one speaker pointing to regional data indicating high levels of marijuana use among students and warning that policymakers should rely on scientific research when considering further reforms.
Despite differing viewpoints, the debate highlighted the complexity of cannabis policy in Antigua and Barbuda, including its links to criminal justice, economic development, public health and human rights.
Organizers said the exercise was designed to give young women hands-on experience in parliamentary procedure while encouraging informed discussion on national policy issues.
The Young Women in Leadership programme aims to prepare the next generation of female leaders by strengthening their skills in public speaking, legislative debate and governance.
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