A member of the Ras Freeman community in Bathlodge has been fined $5,000 after a traffic stop highlighted a contradiction in Antigua and Barbuda’s cannabis legislation.

Mario Semper was stopped by police while transporting 320 grams of cannabis. Although he produced a valid permit for the plant’s sacramental use under his religious exemption, officers determined he had breached transport regulations, which currently restrict individuals to carrying no more than 15 grams of cannabis in transit.

Semper explained that the cannabis had been legally cultivated on his farm and was being transported for personal consumption — both activities allowed under existing law. However, the law limits the amount that can be transported, creating a legal grey area for users like Semper who are permitted to grow and possess larger quantities.

Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason acknowledged the inconsistency, noting the courts have seen similar cases before. He remarked on the impracticality of allowing legal cultivation without accommodating the necessary transport of the product for lawful use.

In light of the circumstances, Magistrate Wason imposed a reduced fine and gave Semper 30 days to pay. He suggested that the case could serve as a catalyst for revisiting the legislation to address such discrepancies.