THE ANALYSIS Data were collected from various ministries and agencies, from four selected Caribbean countries, namely Grenada, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Guyana. The list of agencies includes the police service, prison service, hospitals and other agencies that treat marijuana-related disorders, among others. The data collected were not common for each country, therefore the analyses vary across countries, both in terms of approach and output. The three models of legalization/decriminalization were examined, with 2018 being the base year and year of implementation, here assigned as year zero. The potential effects on the various variables in year one (2019) and year two (2020) after the implementation of the legislative changes, were analysed. The data gathered were used together with the experiences found in the literature to estimate the potential effects of the possible legislative change to the marijuana legal framework, in the selected countries. The following are the results. THE GRENADA RESULTS In this Grenada case, data were available to estimate seven (7) potential benefits, including: Averted cost of lost wages from marijuana possession arrests, cost averted by the police from marijuana possession arrests, costs averted by the prison from marijuana-related incarcerations, and additional revenues from marijuana-related license fees, among others. Data availability allowed for only two (2) costs impacts to be examined: Additional cost of marijuana abuse treatment requests and estimates of the additional costs from marijuana-related accidents
In Grenada model 1 was estimated to derive the lowest total benefit and model 2 the highest, with total benefits of EC$2.77 million and EC$4.86 million, respectively. model 3 was projected to result in the highest costs of EC$3.84 million, followed by model 2 with EC$ 3.26 million.
THE GUYANA RESULTS In Guyana, data were available to estimate five (5) potential benefits, including Costs averted from marijuana-related possession arrests, costs averted from incarcerations, estimates of excise revenues from marijuana sales and activities licensing. Data availability allowed for two (2) costs impacts to be examined, those were: Additional cost of marijuana-related health costs and estimates of additional costs from marijuana-related vehicular accidents.
Overall, model 1 was estimated to produce the lowest benefit in Guyana of GYD$545 million and model 2 the highest of GYD$1,073 million under model 2. Cost were, however, also highest (GYD$ 8,593 million) under model 3 and lowest (GYD$5,869 million) using the assumptions of model 1. THE BAHAMAS RESULTS 82