Psychiatrist Urges Caribbean to Raise Legal Age for Alcohol, Cannabis Use

DOMINICA – A consultant psychiatrist at Dominica’s Acute Psychiatric Unit is urging Dominica and other Caribbean countries to consider raising the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use.

Last week, Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament approved the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026.

Among its key provisions, the legislation raises the minimum legal age for purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21.

It also raises the minimum age for the sale, purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis to 25 and prohibits people under 25 from gambling.

Dr. Nadia Wallace calls the move commendable and says it should prompt other countries in the region to consider similar measures, particularly given the potential mental health effects of alcohol and cannabis use.