By Alric Lindsay
A 58-year-old tourist who imported 28 cannabis-derived gummies into the Cayman Islands last week walked out of court today, February 20, 2026, with no conviction after the Chief Magistrate ruled the case involved “exceptional circumstances” warranting an absolute discharge.
According to Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Prosecutions, Kenneth Ferguson, the offence occurred on February 13, 2026 when Shell arrived in the Cayman Islands on a flight from Dallas.
Reportedly, customs officers at Owen Roberts International Airport referred her for secondary inspection after she was asked the standard question about possession of THC, CBD, mushroom gummies or marijuana products. During the search of her luggage, officers discovered three unopened packages of gummies: a pink-and-green mason jar labelled “Pink Lemonade” containing CBD and THC, a second raspberry-flavoured packet, and additional items later confirmed by laboratory analysis to contain less than two ounces of cannabinoid derivatives, including delta-9-THC and CBD — both classified as controlled drugs in the Cayman Islands.
Shell told officers she had brought the gummies to manage chronic pain and difficulty sleeping caused by early-stage Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
In mitigation, her lawyer, Katie Williams, painted a poignant picture of a woman who had spent her entire career caring for others and was now in need of care herself. “She nursed her brother until the end after he received the same Parkinson’s diagnosis,” counsel told the court. “He died within three years. My client’s prognosis is equally bleak. This trip was meant to be precious time with her husband in the sun after his recent retirement — time she may not have many more opportunities to enjoy.”
The court heard that a conviction would have prevented Miss Shell from travelling, effectively ending the couple’s retirement travel plans.
“If ever there was a case of exceptional circumstances,” the Chief Magistrate stated, “I believe yours is.”
The Chief Magistrate granted an absolute discharge — meaning no conviction is recorded — and ordered Shell to pay $2,300 in costs (or serve 23 days in default). The laboratory analysis fee of $947.25 was noted but not imposed on her.
Note to readers
In 2025, voters voted for a referendum to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis. However, almost a year later, no amendments have been made to relevant laws regarding decriminalisation, including what would be considered a small amount for possession. While this remains undone, customs officers, police and the courts are expending resources to handle cases involving the possession of smal amounts of cannabis.
