Important to Know:
- Cruise Berths Rejected: Cayman Islands voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to develop new cruise ship berthing infrastructure in a referendum.
- Cannabis Decriminalization Approved: A significant majority voted in favor of decriminalizing the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis, meaning penalties would likely involve fines rather than criminal records.
- National Lottery Gets Go-Ahead: Voters narrowly approved the introduction of a national lottery, aimed at regulating existing illegal games and funding public initiatives.
- Respect for Democratic Process: Despite differing original stances, key political figures and groups have stated they will respect the outcomes of the referendums.
In a series of referendums held alongside Wednesday’s general election, Cayman Islands voters delivered decisive outcomes on three key issues. Most notably, the controversial proposal to build new cruise ship berths was firmly rejected, with approximately 64.5% (11,973 people) voting against the plan, while only 28.75% (5,417 people) supported it.
Sustainable tourism group CPR Cayman, which campaigned against the pier, hailed the result as a “loud and clear” message from the electorate, urging the new government to honor the decision and focus on affordable, environmentally sound upgrades to existing tender facilities. The Association for Cruise Tourism, though disappointed, stated it respected the voters’ views.
In contrast, the decriminalization of possessing small amounts of cannabis received strong public backing, with 55.13% (10,385 people) voting in favor and 36.14% (6,809 people) against. This measure means individuals caught with small quantities would likely face penalties such as fines, similar to traffic offenses, but would not receive a criminal record, addressing concerns over prison terms for minor offenses. It’s important to note this is decriminalization, not full legalization.
The proposal for a national lottery saw a closer result but ultimately passed, with 50.76% (9,563 people) in favor and 41.24% (7,770 people) opposed. Proponents, including politicians, emphasized this was not a move towards legalizing general gambling but rather an effort to tackle unregulated lotteries and use the proceeds to fund good causes, such as supporting local athletes. Re-elected politician Kenneth Bryan, the former tourism minister who had supported the cruise berth proposal, stated he would respect the voters’ decision on all matters, underscoring the democratic process.