Antigua & Barbuda takes steps to expunge minor cannabis convictions

The government of Antigua & Barbuda is making a significant move towards criminal justice reform by proposing new legislation aimed at expunging the criminal records of individuals convicted for possessing small amounts of cannabis.

This initiative will allow those affected to legally declare that they have no prior arrests or juvenile delinquency in various legal and professional settings.

In a key development, the Parliament of Antigua & Barbuda is set to convene in July to discuss and potentially pass this groundbreaking legislation. This proposal comes after a historical backdrop where previous attempts to expunge minor offenses, enacted in 2013, were not implemented.

The new 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.

Importantly, while the 2018 amendment reduced penalties for small-scale possession, it did not legalize the sale of cannabis, and strict penalties for such activities remain in place.

Furthermore, current regulations permit households to cultivate up to four cannabis plants, with possession beyond this limit still considered illegal.