A rally to encourage public discourse about cannabis reform is being held this month.

Organiser Ananda Hill is hoping that the event will enable dialogue on the subject and encourage people who agree with “a common-sense approach to cannabis reform” to make a public stand.

“Prohibition hurts our population’s employment opportunities, bleeds the judiciary of valuable time, and is a huge liability to the public purse to pay for jail sentences,” said local activist Mr Hill, 26.

“This type of action is imperative as we are having more Bermudians arrested for cannabis than our population’s growth rate.

“Current cannabis laws are a ticking time bomb for Bermuda’s livelihood and are unsustainable.”

Mr Hill said that the 4/20 rally, Fill the Hill for Cannabis Regulation!, will be held on Parliament Hill on April 20 because Parliament represents a place for constructive dialogue and discourse.

He said that the term “4/20” was synonymous with the consumption of cannabis in California, the first state to enact reform, and that rallies were held on this date in many places around the world where cannabis is prohibited.

“There are many who have lived a large portion of their lives during times of drug propaganda regarding cannabis, and know very little about the plant,” Mr Hill said.

“With information, I have faith that they will be able to see that not only does prohibition not work, it creates a criminal underworld as people will still consume it regardless.”

Mr Hill said that minors, for example, could easily access the drug because it was unregulated and that convictions for cannabis slashed employment opportunities for many Bermudians, and could lead to crime, abuse and antisocial behaviour issues.

Mr Hill said that the rally would focus on recreational and medical consumption.

“Contact information will be exchanged and a Lobby for Cannabis Reform will be created, so if you are interested in ensuring the reforms will be just, sensible and useful to Bermuda, you should come,” he added. “Regarding political dialogue, if anyone in Parliament feels that cannabis should stay prohibited in this unsustainable way, I would like to challenge their opinion in a public debate on camera.”

Mr Hill, who has spoken with the Cannabis Reform Committee, said he hoped to work with the group in future because a common-sense approach to cannabis reform was important.

“The only people who seem to be against prohibition, once faced with a certain amount of information, seem to be those who benefit from prohibition as opposed to the rest of the country,” he said.

“I can’t think of one reason why any plant created by God should be illegal. In comparison to alcohol and cigarettes especially, I would like to point out that the cannabis death toll is zero.”

Mr Hill said that Bermuda must “adapt to what makes sense or this ship will keep sinking”.

“If discussion of what makes sense can possibly make some people uncomfortable, then that is a small burden to bear when in contrast to the ramifications,” he added. “Feelings and comforts change but actions are forever. We can handle it; I have faith in our maturity.”

The April 20 rally will be on Parliament Hill from 2pm until 6pm.

n For more details or to volunteer, call Mr Hill on 517-1481 or visit www.facebook.com/events/805429536213116/