Opposition leader says he ‘cured’ daughter’s asthma with ganja tea

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Opposition Leader Marc Bean has come under fire from a leading children's rights advocate after admitting he gave his then-young daughter "ganja tea" to treat her asthma.

The advocate, Sheelagh Cooper, said she was shocked by Bean's statement in the House of Assembly.

Speaking during a take-note motion in the House on the report of the Cannabis Reform Collaborative to potential changes to the island's policy on marijuana, Bean said he had in the past used marijuana medicinally for both himself and his family.

Bean called for the legalisation of marijuana with a "light touch" of regulation, saying the taxation of cannabis could bring in more than US$20 million in tax revenue, provide a boost in tourism and create entrepreneurial opportunities.

Kicking off the marathon debate earlier, Premier Michael Dunkley, who is also national security minister, said the One Bermuda Alliance Government has no plans to legalise marijuana, claiming that "it is wrong to yield to a more permissive attitude socially without due regard to the social, economic and health consequences".

"Medicinal use, as far as I'm concerned, I don't need too much scientific evidence," Bean told the House on Friday night.