A small group of people gathered on Parliament Hill yesterday to show their support for cannabis reform in Bermuda.

The 4/20 rally was organised by Ananda Hill, who says the next step is to lobby Parliament about decriminalising the drug.

Senator Jeffrey Baron, the Junior Minister for National Security, made an appearance at the start of the rally to let those gathered know that he was open to discussions on the matter going forward.

About 12 people attended the event, holding up banners carrying messages including: “Who benefits from prohibition”, “Decriminalisation not incarceration”, and “$88,000 cost to jail one person for one year”.

Mr Hill said that despite calls for the public to “fill the hill” in support of reform, he was happy with the modest numbers of people who showed up.

“I’m happy with the numbers already,” he said.

“I have enough names to set up a relatively powerful lobby.

“We have had some pretty positive feedback from the OBA and the PLP, which is hopeful.

“I think they recognise it makes more sense to change things up.

“This rally is the first step of much to come.

“The next step is we will be lobbying Parliament and the Government in general.

“Anyone interested in the establishment of laws that make sense and help the people instead of a small number of organised criminals.

“What I would like to see is decriminalisation, regulation and tax.

“It is the most useful way to handle it in a conservative place like Bermuda.

“Not only will it stop us locking so many people up and wasting money doing that, we can actually make some money as a country and get rid of our deficit relatively quickly. It’s common sense to me.

“I would like to see cannabis treated in a similar light as alcohol.

“It’s been a reality in Bermuda — cannabis consumption is part of Bermudian culture and it’s not going anywhere. Prohibition hasn’t stopped a constant flow of marijuana coming into Bermuda; it hasn’t stopped people from consuming marijuana.

“The only thing it seems to do is hurt the general public and waste money from the public purse, which we as the people pay for.

“In my eyes, it is extremely obsolete and dangerous.”

People at the rally said it was time for reform.

Karriem Sharrieff said: “I wouldn’t be opposed to Government-controlled distribution; maybe having dispensaries that are regulated, and then tax. It would help with our deficit and cut out the entire expenditure for criminal activity instead of putting people in jail and it costing $90,000 a year. Give them a fine, make some money and send them home.”

Kade Stallard said: “This is an inevitable change for Bermuda. I’m glad someone like Ananda is organising something like this, something that can bring more good to Bermuda.”

Makeda Simmons said: “There is no real reason it should be illegal. It doesn’t harms anyone like alcohol does and it might just help out Government. Also I think we would all be a lot happier.”