By Alric Lindsay
A man appeared in the Summary Court on September 29, 2025, to face a charge of importation of 10.8 grams of cannabis. He had a medical card from Florida and brought the cannabis for a medical condition, ketosis and pain from standing at work. He claimed he was unaware of local laws and pleaded guilty. Magistrate Gunn recognized his good character and that it was a genuine mistake, and granted an absolute discharge. No additional costs beyond the cost of forensic drug testing were imposed due to the man’s circumstances.
Background
Regarding the background, the man reportedly arrived in the Cayman Islands in September 2025.
When asked if he had anything to declare, he said no.
When questioned about possession of anything containing THC or CBD, he replied, yes, but he had a medical card.
As Customs & Border Control Officers conducted their search, they found a white bottle containing a vegetable matter and one grinder with traces of what appeared to be cannabis.
The man was arrested, taken to the Cayman Islands Detention Centre and interviewed. He admitted that the vegetable matter was his, but he had a medical card since 2019, which he obtained to deal with chronic pain on his feet. He experienced this pain as a result of his profession where he stands on his feet a lot.
It was explained further that he did not need a prescription in Florida and goes to a dispensary to collect his medical marijuana in line with his card.
Regarding the importation of the substance to the Cayman Islands, he was reportedly extremely apologetic as he deemed the marijuana to be medicine, rather than importing for a nefarious reason.
Arguing on his behalf, it was said that he is a man of the utmost good character, has never been in trouble with the law, and was absolutely mortified.
After hearing arguments of counsels, Magistrate Gunn said:
You imported it under the assumption that the prescription that you have would be accepted in another jurisdiction without checking. I have to say that’s an understandable assumption that somebody might make.
And it is a genuine piece of mitigation, which is quite unusual in the sense that you have a medical marijuana card, you have that prescription for the doctor, which is highly unusual, seeing as it’s also available for everyone.
Magistrate Gunn added that it was quite an exceptional circumstance and given his medical prescription together with his good character, and early guilty plea, she absolutely discharged the man and did not record a conviction.
Regarding financial penalties, Magistrate Gunn noted that, typically, a sum would be added for the man hours that it costs to investigate and prosecute the matter. However, she did not include this amount on top of the $631.50, the cost of forensic drug testing.
The man has seven days to appeal the sentence.
