Cannabis in the Bahamas
The Cannabis Bill 2024 would decriminalize 30 grams in the Bahamas, but it has not passed. Here is where the reform stands, what Nassau and cruise visitors still face under current law, and when it might change.
Last verified: May 17, 2026 · Dangerous Drugs Act / Cannabis Bill 2024 (proposed)
Where the Cannabis Bill 2024 actually stands
The Cannabis Bill 2024 was introduced as part of a broader cannabis reform compendium with companion legislation. The package would:
- Decriminalize personal possession of up to 30 grams (replacing criminal charges with a $250 fixed fine)
- Legalize cannabis for medical, religious, and scientific purposes
- Create a Bahamas Cannabis Authority to regulate the industry
- Require 100% Bahamian ownership for cannabis business licenses
As of May 2026, the bill has been introduced but has not been enacted. The Cannabis Authority’s online licensing platform is built and ready, but applications cannot open until the bill passes. The Davis government has signaled support and the framework sits with the next government for final action.
What tourists still face in 2026
Until the bill is enacted, the Dangerous Drugs Act applies in full. Possession is a criminal offence with potential fines and imprisonment.
- Nassau and cruise ports. Active enforcement. Cruise passengers caught with cannabis can be denied reboarding and face local charges.
- Family islands. The same federal law applies on Exuma, Eleuthera, Abaco, and every other island.
- Airport screening. Lynden Pindling International (Nassau) and Grand Bahama International screen for drugs on arrival and departure.
- Religious-use defence. Even religious-use defences do not currently apply because the protective framework requires the reform bill to pass first.
When the bill does pass, the 30-gram decriminalization would change the daily reality. Retail sales would remain restricted to licensed channels under the new framework. There is no firm date as of May 2026.
Recent News & Changes
- 2024: Cannabis Bill 2024 introduced: medical, religious, scientific legalization; 30g decrim proposed
- 2024: PM Davis contributes to Cannabis Reform Compendium debate
- Ongoing: Bill awaiting passage; Bahamas Cannabis Authority proposed
Frequently asked questions
Is weed legal in the Bahamas?
No. Cannabis is currently illegal in the Bahamas under the Dangerous Drugs Act. The Cannabis Bill 2024 would decriminalize possession of up to 30 grams and legalize cannabis for medical, religious, and scientific use, but the bill has not yet been enacted.
Is marijuana legal in the Bahamas?
No. Marijuana is illegal in the Bahamas. The Dangerous Drugs Act treats possession as a criminal offence with no current exception for personal, medical, or religious use. Reform is pending under the Cannabis Bill 2024.
Is weed legal in Nassau Bahamas?
No. The same federal Bahamian law applies in Nassau and on all the islands. Cruise ports including Nassau see active enforcement, and possession can result in arrest, fines, and ineligibility to return.
Can tourists buy weed in the Bahamas?
No. There is no legal cannabis access in the Bahamas at this time. Nassau, Freeport, and the family islands all enforce the Dangerous Drugs Act. If the Cannabis Bill 2024 passes, the framework would change to a 30-gram decriminalization, but retail sales would remain restricted to licensed channels.
Can you smoke weed in the Bahamas in 2026?
Not legally. As of May 2026, cannabis remains illegal. Tourists caught smoking can face arrest, court proceedings, and the practical disruption of having to delay travel until charges are resolved.
What are the penalties for cannabis in the Bahamas?
Possession is a criminal offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act with potential fines and imprisonment. The proposed Cannabis Bill would replace criminal charges with a $250 fixed fine for 30 grams or less, but until it passes the old law applies in full.
When will weed be legal in the Bahamas?
The Cannabis Bill 2024 sits with the next government for final action. The Cannabis Authority's online licensing platform is built and ready, but applications cannot open until the bill is enacted. There is no firm date as of May 2026.