Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley has claimed marijuana smoking was "prevalent" over the holiday weekend and Police stood by and did nothing.

Sen. Dunkley said he saw people smoking under the Crown and Anchor tent at Somerset Cricket Club over Cup Match.

He said he'd also received reports of the same being done at Thursday's BeachFest at Horseshoe Bay and the Non-Mariners Race on Sunday.

"Last I checked, smoking marijuana was illegal and nothing is being done about it.

"There were three major events over the weekend, Cup Match, Non-Mariners and BeachFest, and at all three events, I have been made aware that the smoking was done in an open place.

"I saw it at Cup Match with my own eyes. The law is the law and it was being flaunted in the public atmosphere. I am not saying the Police should charge in like a bull in a china shop [but] we as the community need to decide what we need to do. Are we going to allow our laws to be flaunted?"

The Bermuda Police Service did not respond to a request for comment. Government backbencher Ashfield DeVent said the problem crossed racial lines.

"That same type of behaviour has existed long ago and also under the former UBP Government. There have been people complaining about the overuse of marijuana at football games for 25, 30 years.

"Some people will say that's why the numbers in attendance declines. It's clear that thousands of otherwise productive citizens across racial lines smoke marijuana. "So the question now becomes, have the Police tried to do something about that? It's clear that, despite the law, people feel free to break it."

Asked if Police should have arrested every person seen smoking cannabis, Sen. Dunkley said: "At that point, we create a big issue. Right now you have allowed it to be something that is accepted.

"There were a lot of Police there and nothing was done. I saw a guy in the Crown and Anchor tent passing it around. These things are taking place right in front of the Police and nothing is being done.

"We wonder why we have issues in Bermuda because people know they can get away with it. If we have laws on the books I think they need to be adhered to at all times."

Mr. DeVent agreed authorities frequently turned a blind eye.

"The Police have allowed that to happen in crowded places — sessions, football games. It happens and the Police haven't done anything about it.

"It's the law but it's a law that thousands of people have flaunted. We can rant about what is but that's a waste of time. Again, I'm calling for the Country to review our drug policies because I contend that guns and violence go hand in hand with the drug trade based on profit."

Somerset Cricket Club president Richard Scott said people should be more respectful when at community events.

"We as Bermudians need to be respectful and be responsible law-abiding citizens and recognise that it's illegal and we need not impose our personal preference to consume contraband or alcohol on anyone else. We should be prepared to assist the Police in policing by policing ourselves."

BeachFest organiser Gavin Smith did not respond by press time nor did Brad Woodings, Commandeer of Non-Mariners organisers Sandys Boat Club.

• What do you think? Should Police turn a blind eye? Do you think cannabis should be legalised?