Civil servants to get bonus, CIG to import cannabis oil

| 30/05/2016 | 92 Comments
Cayman News Service

Premier Alden McLaughlin

(CNS): There were not many surprises in the premier’s Budget Statement delivered in the Legislative Assembly on Monday morning but the PPM leader announced two unexpected and unrelated items that will be welcomed by many. Alden McLaughlin said that all civil servants will receive a 2.2% one-off bonus payment in their June pay packets based on annual salaries, in addition to the pay reviews that are coming up this year. And in another surprise announcement, he revealed that government would soon begin importing cannabis oil to allow doctors to prescribe it as a medicine for certain diseases.

In a statement that had a campaign flavour to it, the premier made many references throughout to the manifesto commitments that had been fulfilled by his government and many more he planned to complete before the end of this term. Not unexpectedly, given that this annual spending plan will cover an election year, there is a significant increase in government spending, and after three years of very large surpluses, the government is forecasting its smallest ever for the new 2016/17 eighteen-month budget.

In his speech outlining the policy elements of the budget ahead of the finance minister’s presentation of the figures, McLaughlin announced pay reviews for government workers and the one-off year-end bonus, among other spending on a variety of government infrastructure projects, from roads to the next steps in a waste-management solution.

He also announced that the Dart-NRA deal had finally been agreed, and that government would be paying down debt this year as well as investing money in various important government areas, such as e-government, financial services, civil service reform, roads and education, with the John Gray High School project expected to restart in the coming months.

McLaughlin listed proposed legislation coming before the end of the term, from copyright laws to legislation to manage government procurement, but the announcement that Cabinet had issued instructions to the legal department to draft a bill as a matter of urgency that will allow medical doctors to prescribe cannabinoid oil to patients was something of a surprise.

The premier, who is also the minister of health, said that after carefully considering the merits and demerits of legalizing the use of medical cannabinoid oil to treat patient with debilitating diseases, such as cancer, glaucoma and severe epilepsy, “government is persuaded that it is better to favour hope and compassion over fear”.

“We are treating this as a matter of urgency for we are keenly aware that time is not a luxury for many of those whom this drug may benefit,” he said. For the benefit of those who doubted the decision, he explained how a young Caymanian husband had made the case for his very sick wife to be able to access the oil as they believe it would will help defeat her illness, as he pointed out that in some health conditions there is no standard medication or treatment available that gives them hope.

“I am speaking here about an oil extract from the cannabis plant that has been prepared for medical purposes and that will be imported into the Cayman Islands in a fashion similar to medical morphine. I am not talking about legalizing the use of the cannabis plant itself for medical or other uses,” he explained.

A long way from the moves that have been made in Jamaica, which is positioning itself to be the centre of the medical ganja trade in the region, it is still a surprising development, given that not a single MLA to date in Cayman has been willing to talk publicly at all about the issue of medical cannabis.

In a speech in which the premier insisted his PPM government was one that had gone things done, he pointed to the challenges, including the loss of three members. But, he said, despite increasing the workload for his team, those that remained on the government benches were stronger for it.

“Amongst the challenges has been the reduction of our majority in this House. It has increased the burden of work for those on this side and created logistical difficulties. It has caused delays, including the delivery of this budget,” he said. “But … the loss of the three members has made the remaining ten of us even stronger and more committed. We who still remain believe our principal duty is to keep our promises and complete the work our people sent us here to do. We who still remain place the ambitions and interests of our people above personal ambition or conviction. “

He said he was proud of the government team as they entered the home stretch.

“We have shown mettle and determination. We will not be distracted or intimidated. We will fight on for those who elected us and the Cayman Islands as a whole. And we will complete the work we set out to do. We will close out the term delivering on our promises and showing that we are indeed a government that gets things done” he added.

The PPM led government remained ambitions, he said, and had already accomplished a lot but the platform was in place for more.

“This is a government that does not plan in four-year terms, but for the long term,” McLaughlin stated. “The budget that we will present today is one that provides benefits for our people today, tomorrow and beyond. We will not gamble with the future of Cayman, neither do we intend to fight the wearisome political battles of yesterday.”

The premier said that the events around beneficial ownership demonstrated the need for a new kind of politics.

“Bravado and bluster may be amusing at times, but there is too much at stake for mere entertainment. This is a government of responsibility, of honour, of dignity and integrity. We have proven our worth, both here at home and on the global stage. We have delivered on the promises we have made,” he added before finishing his almost two-hour long speech.

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Comments (92)

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  1. Sylvie says:

    If you have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy now, You may be feeling more confused than ever. I know I was exactly where you are back in 2014. This is the time where you need to Pray and ask God to reveal himself to you. Ask Him to lead you in the direction you should go. That is exactly what I did. The God of the Universe who created you and loves you, has a plan for your life. He answered my prayers and He will answer yours.
    I was diagnosed of lung cancer, I didn’t like the chemo because it was harmful, so when I told the Doctor I would rather use cannabis oil to kill the cancer, they never made any comment on that. So when I got out of the hospital, I source the cannabis oil from London Cancer Centre Cannabis Team by forwarding an email to londoncancercentre@gmail.com and started consuming the cannabis oil for treatment as directed. That was how my cancer was cured and I have also given the cannabis oil to 4 other people I know, Stomach cancer, breast cancer, brain tumors, prostate cancer, all gone and cancer free!
    I want to encourage you to do your own research outside of what the doctors are telling you, in order to make an informed decision. Take responsibility for your own health. This blog should not be the only thing you read, read about cannabis oil.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Still not voting for you

  3. Rp says:

    Legalize it! Or at a minimum stop criminalizing our kids! We are ruining their future for nothing. Tax it regulate it please.

    Import medication for those with severe illnesses. Or let’s build some labs and get into the medical research business. Come guys, let’s move forward and do what’s right.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Importing cannabis oil? Well now I guess our belowed gowerment will have to relinquish at least one double standard by releasing those poor souls they have incarcerated for importing the stuff to be prescribed as a medicine for certain diseases.

    • Anonymous says:

      Especially since they’re forcing the rest of us rich folk to feed, clothe, and otherwise peovide for them forever.

  5. Anonymous says:

    First let me say I am happy for the local ‘lobbyist’ and family, really like them both and it shows what a government CAN do for its supporters.

    But I would just humbly and sincerely suggest that this government also decriminalise personal use of marijuana by having a graded system with fines first and think of how their friends want to keep their families together and apply that same kindness to those with less in their pockets. Yes I know most poor people usually go to UDP for understanding & empathy but maybe the PPM could show some heart for all not only the influential.

  6. Anonymous says:

    budget summary:
    private sector – we will keep taxing you till breaking point
    public sector: pay rises and bonuses…..
    just another day in wonderland….zzzzzzzzzzzz

    • Anonymous says:

      Typical government mentality. Break it off in the Private Sector to have them foot the bill for everything. Then they give CS raise of pay and bonus while we in the Private Sector get nothing.

    • Anonymous says:

      If the private sector feel overly taxed in Cayman why do they stay?

  7. Anonymous says:

    HURRAY FOR THE PREMIER HONORABLE ALDEN MCLAUGHLIN, HEE HAS MY VOTE, AS SOON AS I AM GRANTED CAYMAN STATUS. I AM A CUBAN NATIONAL WITH PERMANENT RESIDENCE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK. FOR FINANCIAL REASON HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION AND CAYMAN STATUS.

    In some countries patients with Crohn’s Disease are prescribed cannabis to treat the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease instead of giving high doses opiods like morphine.

    I’ve suffered with an Autoimmune Disorder called Crohn’s Disease (which is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and as a result I lost my with the Cayman Islands
    Government because I was on extended sick leave for the second time in 2012 – 2013. The first time I was on extended sick leave was in 2010 – 2011. In other country were cannabis is legalized, it is used to treat crohn’s disease (my daily intake of morphine 60mg three time daily for the pain and sometimes the pain is so severe that I am unable to get out of bed for days sometimes). I also had to undergo two surgeries to have parts of my small intestine removed (the first surgery in 2009 was 18cm the second surgery in 2014 was 24 cm, give or take an inch or two.) In 2009 my case wasn’t treated properly.

    As a result of the severity of my condition, which I also obtain a Doctor’s note from the Medical Chief Officer in 2015, in order to claim a Pension Cash Out on the grounds on Disability Retirement, (in order to payoff some outstanding loans, specially with credit union) but unfortunately my application was denied by the Public Service Pension Board, because my employment contract wasn’t renewed in September 2014 prior to me being medically boarded (by the way I was medically boarded but I asked them to issue a letter explaining about crohn’s disease, because I had really loved my job, and I was even planning to attend ICCI to further my education in Accounting) .

    I went off islands to seek other options, as I suffer from constant chronic abdominal cramps and constant visit to the restroom of between 16 – 25 times daily.
    On my trip off island I was under the impression that if I returned before or the date that my contract expired I would still have employment.
    while I was off island I spoke with my direct supervisor and her direct supervisor and as per our conversations by mobile at no time was there ever any mentioned of my contract not being renewed.
    I left the island on June 19 2014 and the Contract Termination letter was dated June 9th 2014.

    One week prior September 11th 2014 I called a co-worker just to say hi and to tell her that I would be seeing her the following as I was still under the impression that I had employment.
    Two days before I was to returned to work was when my Employment Contract Termination letter was delivered to my house, stating the obvious fact that I no longer had employment.

    In the letter it mentioned that a conversation took place with the Chief Officer of the Department that my contract was not going to be renewed, I may be ill but my brain is fully functional. To my recollection the conversation that took place was that I would either have to return before my contract expired or on the same date that it expired, but I would still have my job.

    If the conversations need to be heard, I am sure the ICTA would be able to provide them.

  8. Anonymous says:

    They need to Legalize the herbs for good and stop wasting time.. just imagine the money this island would bring in.. just a thought as I know they’ll be people that would disagree.

    • Just saying says:

      First of all, Alden knows his reign as premier is coming to an end, therefore, he is desperately trying to do things that should have been done from he started his administration.

      As for the one time payout of 2.2%, that is all very good but it should not be a one time payout, and it should not be across the board because there are too many civil servants that are already making more than they are worth or at least their office.

      Example, a person making, say, $80-100,000+ p.a. and a hardworking individual making $36-48,000 p.a., the higher paid employee will probably just put that in their savings. The hardworking, lesser paid employee is going to probably use that money to pay off a CUC/water bill and the following month they r back to being behind on their utilities again and the hardship continues.

      As for the cannabis, this should have been legalized a long time ago and maybe we would not have so many poor souls incarcerated and there would be more money for pay raises.
      However, knowing how it all works, only the special people would be given the opportunity to profit from this, as usual.

      So much vacant land in the Cayman Islands, so many people out of work, rich soil, good weather, grow the stuff don’t import it, look to export it because there is a huge market for it and it has a standing revenue of over $4billion p.a.

      Also, while the ganja is growing, plant some bananas, plantains, etc, etc…..etc…news flash, Cayman is going to need it because soon and very soon Cayman will not be able to import anything from any country because there just won’t be enough for export. By the way, don’t say, oh that won’t hurt me and my family because we can afford to jump on CAL and go shop in Miami. Well, that may not be an option either. Read, ll Chronicles 7:14 and you will find the solution to Cayman’s problems.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Weed and free money. Must be an election year.

    • Debbie says:

      A government who cares. How refreshing. A government who didn’t waste millions on fun trips overseas and who didn’t waste millions on projects that never got off the ground.

      Thank you for caring and spending our money wisely.

  10. Jotnar says:

    Cayman Airways support $32.4m, Turtle Farm $12.7m versus hospital equipment $1.6m, employment initiatives of $2.3m – says it all really. Same old sacred cows, with some populist spending sprinkled on top to please the electorate.

  11. Unison says:

    hey! this is not your island! coconut oil is too expensive. :/

  12. Anonymous says:

    All those who need cannabis oil, how about we just build a big residential home like a resort. Then house all those needing cannabis oil, and then all the illegal cannabis that the police confiscate we give the patients the drug for free… benefits them and we get rid of drug

  13. Anonymous says:

    Why s there no mention of Cannabidiol (CBD)? This is the most medicinally beneficial compound extracted from the cannabis plant with none of the psychoactive effects of Cannabinol (CBN). All of these compounds can be easily extracted from cannabis for a fraction of what it will cost to import it. Once again not taking full advantage of an opportunity to create jobs locally and boost the economy. I bet one of Alden’s Jamaican lodge buddies will get the contract to supply GIC with low quality oil.

  14. Anonymous says:

    more fake promises just for some votes 🙁

  15. Anonymous says:

    Alden if you want more votes could I respectfully suggest that you do not allow Tara Rivers to address this years Teachers Back to School “conference”. She has lost the respect of teachers and seems to be in government to sabotage the public school system. We teachers will not forget in a hurry how we were made to feel at the start of the academic year by this “no nothing about education” Minister.

  16. Caymanian realistic says:

    So we save money, ooh let’s give bonus to everyone!!!

    Cannabis one is going to fun as you will be prescribed by a doctor but not allowed to drive as it is an offense!!!

  17. Anonymous says:

    Thank you so much PPM. I’ve been suffering from a chronic autoimmune disease for 15 years, and this news has given me hope that relief will soon be available.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Electioneering at its tawdry best.
    Well done Alden.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Happy to see cannabis oil for medicinal use implemented. The benefits are tremendous and its only the pharmaceutical companies who condition us to believe their manufactured meds were acceptable when cannabis use was not. As for the bonus, please give it and move on (I’m not a civil servant but I don’t want to read about it being given then taken back etc etc).

    It’s always curious to read comments about politicians – when they do something they are only trying to buy votes, when they aren’t doing anything they are lazy and don’t care. With all the complaints about them (regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof), the people who complain never throw their hats in the ring. If you don’t like this country’s representation then why don’t you do something about it rather than sit back and complain….oh yeah apparently complaining is the new social activism.

    • Anonymous says:

      Does this mean that my Performance Management meeting will go very well this year? After all I am being given a bonus.

      • Anonymous says:

        Performance Management is one of the biggest jokes in Cayman. A tick box approach which many have abandoned. It fails to weed out Caymanians that are poor performers and does nothing to support those that could be mentored into performing better.If it was working we would not continue to have the problems we have.

        • A Nony Mouse says:

          As a former CIG civil servant, I annually awaited with baited breath my Performance Review (known to us in the civil service as the annual awarding of the “3’s”)! I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. Oh, there were the one or two department “brown-nosers” that got upwards of 4 every year, but that was a given! Every time there was ever a single “4” awarded there was always a random corresponding “2” to directly offset it. I have all of these reviews on file as ample proof, and so do most of us.

          It’s about time there is a semi-independent review panel which looks at goals and objectives and compares it to achievements and gives a truer representation of the performance of the employee. That is the way it was done throughout my private sector working days. One department supervisor, one HR person and one outside consultant participated in each performance review. Each person was presented with goals and objectives annually and a review was conducted to see what was or wasn’t achieved. If there were any goals that NO ONE achieved for whatever reason, that criteria was simply discarded. Fairness and logic does not exist in the current CIG Performance Review system.

    • Anonymous says:

      Tis the people’s job to ask questions and sometimes it’s viewed as complaints.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Brilliant PPM. I thought you were a total waste of time but with my 2.2% increase I feel much better. However, I cannot be bought. Your record stands for itself.

    • Anonymous says:

      Reading is fundamental. It’s not a pay increase of 2.2%, it is a one time bonus payment that equates to 2.2% of your annual salary. To further clarify, you shall receive this “bonus” in your June 2016 salary.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Great job guys. The silent majority knows this is the best Government we have seen in many years. Special thanks for getting things done without rampant corruption XXXXX.

    • Anonymous says:

      Their biggest flaw is fixating on the dock and ignoring the dump. EVERYONE (kirkbots included) knows the dump is the most pressing issue our island is challenged with fixing. Yet they stick their heads in the sand on this issue!

      • Anonymous says:

        The dump has taken 40 years to create yet you want it fixed in 3. I have confidence that we will get a proper facility in due course. Rushing in only leads to bad results. Note that the DART proposal was not a proper facility, it was only some land and a couple of lined holes.

        • Anonymous says:

          Kirkbot alert!

        • SSM345 says:

          11:15, ok, do you also equate Camana Bay to a beach hut? Look around you at DARTs development and ask yourself do you honestly think it would not be a state of the art facility? Stop drinking the koolaid.

        • Jotnar says:

          As opposed to the existing facility, which is some land and an unlined hole. However, the important distinction is that it is not land next to their most important electoral base.

      • Anonymous says:

        Why do you think it is one or the other? The Airport construction is now underway as a result of following the process, the Port is being re-configured to appease public concerns as part of the process, and the dump project is moving along within the guidelines of proper process. It’s not a matter of one or the other. They all need to be done and done right. The more complicated the problem, the longer it takes to develop the solution. As long as we stay on course, they will be done. Measure twice, cut once.

    • Anonymous says:

      Leave out “getting things done” because that is blatently not the case.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Why import it? Why not license persons to produce it on island? This is a new industry that could create many jobs on island.

  23. Anonymous says:

    What a line of dung!

  24. Harauguer says:

    Alden, you need to go to Dart on bended knee and beg him to do the dump deal you and your yahoos refused 3 years ago. Move that stinking dump!

    • Anonymous says:

      Move that stinking dump! Move that stinking dump! Move that stinking dump! Move that stinking dump!Move that stinking dump! Move that stinking dump!Move that stinking dump!

  25. Anonymous says:

    So cannabis has anti-cancer properties and it’s illegal, yet a teenager can go into the gas station and buy a pack of cigs which causes cancer. Makes you wonder what other poor choices government makes for it’s citizens.
    Government is not reason, is not eloquence, it is force, like a fire, a troublesome servant and fearful master. “Never” for a moment should it be left to “irressponsible” action – George Washington. Remember people government is of no reason. You cannot reason the decisions of the government, because they’re just there to control you for their own interest.

  26. WaYaSay says:

    So the PPM will allow you to test positive for consumption if you can persuadea doctor to perscribe it to you, however, if you vacation in Colorado and smoke weed legally, when you return to Cayman, if you test positive, under Csyman laws you will be sent to Northward for “consumption” and the rest of the taxpayers will have to pay $70,000.00 per year to house and feed you.

    Alden, explain to me why you are proposing to change the law to legalise pot for medical reasons and you are not willing to also address the stupidity of a jail term and police record for consumption under all other circumstances.

    I am not suggesting that you have to legalise pot consumption. I am suggesting that you remove the jail time punishment and save all Cayman residents, local and expat, from getting a police record, even when they recreationally smoke cannabis legally in other jurisdictions.

    Alden it is 2016. Stop wasting money and resources on pot smokers, it is not the society desolveing drug we used to think it was.

    • Anonymous says:

      It actually is the society dissolving drug. For you and maybe a select few of your friends, you may be functional. For others, it destroys the little ambition they have. Never mind the jail time and that risk. The risk to their brain cells and the long term exposure. There is a difference with an adult periodically smoking for medical or social reasons and a 16 year old smoking continuously onward for 20+ plus years.

      • Anonymous says:

        I assume you have evidential research to come to that conclusion 3:28am. Or am I gonna have to say your talking out your @##

        • Anonymous says:

          You just may be one of them…

          “Or am I going to have to say you’re talking out your @##?”

          Please learn to write properly.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yea there is a big dfference 3:28am the teenager who smokes pot everyday for 20 years lives another 20 years. The teenager who smokes cigs everyday for 20 years dies of cancer in the hospital surrounded by his family that have to watch him suffer while there is nothing they can do for them.
        How can you say you cannabis destroys what little ambition a teenager has when cigs and alcohol destroys people’s lives. Are you blind to the fact that alcohol and tobacco kills more people on this earth than any other substance? And your statement has no proof or value. You have no evidence to back that claim. There are plenty of healthy, hard working pot heads in this world and you probably know some of them.

      • Bacardi says:

        Alcohol is THE society dissolving drug. Sold on every corner in Cayman like church

        • Belle says:

          Yes Bacardi! Absolutely correct!

          Alcohol is the elephant in the room which nobody wants to address!

          How many DUI’s per year here, how many deaths by speed due to drinking alcohol????

          How many innocent people have been run over by drunk drivers etc.

    • Anonymous says:

      Drug using Expats don’t go to Northward – they get the immediate boot. Been that way for decades.

  27. Anonymous says:

    I hope the police are in charge of securing the cannabis oil…… so I can steal some.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Government should stay out of private enterprise. Pass the laws to protect doctors, but “fishermen” from East End to West Bay can procure cannabis oil at much lower prices than a government department.

  29. Big Brown says:

    “Not unexpectedly, given that this annual spending plan will cover an election year, there is a significant increase in government spending, and after three years of very large surpluses, the government is forecasting its smallest ever for the new 2016/17 eighteen-month budget.”

    This statement is not only misleading, but disingenuous. The reason for the increase in spending and decrease in surplus is the 18 month period of this Budget compared to the normal 12 month period. The only connection to the election year is the extra cost of staging the election, especially since it will the first one under the new One Man One Vote dispensation.

    CNS really ought to know better than to sink to the level of such biased reporting. Or should it?

    • Jotnar says:

      Disingenious? Unlike your contribution, of course. Sure there are an extra 6 months in the forecast period, but if the core government expenditure for the last 12 was $540m and the budget spend for the next 18 months is $862m, then the government is planning to spend $52m more than is simply accounted for by the longer time period. Its also factually incorrect to say that the only difference is the election spending – there are a raft of additional expenditures, ranging from the 2.2% one off bonus government wants to pay as well as as yet undefined pay increases for the CS, and even a new car for the Premier at a cool $50K.

      CNS may be pressing journalistic boundaries towards comment by using the expression “not unexpectedly”, but your comments are simply factually incorrect.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Yes. Finally medicinal ganja.
    Half of Cayman will qualify! (Bad nerves)

  31. Anonymous says:

    Thanks PPM for a job well done. Its great to hear some good news instead of all the negativity you hear on the radio and read in the newspaper. Its really refreshing to have representatives who can go abroad and have intelligent discussions with foreign governments.

  32. Reality Check says:

    PPM pandering to civil service voters to try to secure support their with a 2.2% bonus payment. Must be an election year.

  33. Anonymous says:

    Wow…everything you do is short term mentality…emphasis on permit fees for the sake surplus…your job creation has been nothing more than lower level often temporary positions ….a blanket bonus regardless of performance is vote buying…ok good job on the oil but wonder who’s Jamaican buddy is going to get the contract?

  34. Anonymous says:

    well done on the cannabis oil but i got a feeling it will still be at review stage by the time you leave (removed from) office….
    too little too late……you’ve had 3 years to get stuff done….but all you have done is sat on your hands…..
    your nonsensical, pathetic flip-flop on daylight savings time says it all………

  35. Anonymous says:

    Watch Rick Simpson’ videos, he recommends to make marijuana oil, not buy it for cancer treatment. His facebook gives step by step instructions and answers many questions. Unfortunately you have to move to Amsterdam for 6 month where it is legal, to make the oil and complete the treatment. https://www.facebook.com/ricksimpsonofficial/
    Still I applaud the decision. Cannabis oil is a true miracle for many other diseases, not just cancer.

    • Anonymous says:

      On the website you will find the full written instructions, the dosage for cancer and other serious conditions plus a “how to make the medicine” video. you can also click a “translate” button for 72 other languages if needed . Rick says if you can make a cup of coffee then you can make the oil. The oil is made from cannabis and contains a high level of THC and therefore it cannot be posted / shipped ( no matter what you read or are told ).. do not buy oils online to be delivered or you will be scammed. Buying a “ready made” version from a legal dispensary may mean the difference between life and death depending on the condition being treated if the oil is not strong enough or made correctly. If you do travel to a legal dispensary it would be advised to look for one who displays an authentic dated valid laboratory test certificate for that particular batch showing the full cannabinoid analysis.
      A decent typical home made RSO may contain a THC content of 90%+, and a cbd content of approximately 1 to 2% plus all the other cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids working together like an “entourage effect”, the very best oils are 95%+ THC.. some have been tested at 98.5% THC..
      Dispensaries ( with many of the strains available to them ) should be able to produce an oil with a very high THC content.. check before buying. ( some tests we have seen show little to only 50% THC.. such oils are not authentic oils and are “watered down” versions ).

  36. Anonymous says:

    Finally , these idiots get some common sense.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Cannabis oil importing…good, progressive. Civil service bonuses….election bribes, pathetic.

  38. Anonymous says:

    I’m so proud of my government. They have rewarded civil servants who sacrificed so much over the past 7 years which has resulted in the Government returning this country to a sound financial position.

    The civil service has delivered outstanding results and if government is going to behave like the private sector this bonus is well deserved.

    Thank you PPM for caring.

    • Anonymous says:

      The Civil Servants (and I am one) have not produced oustanding results or indeed sacrificed anything. Its a cushy job with underperformance its vision.

      • Uncivil Servant says:

        And salaries should be adjusted to reflect the Consumer Price Index as reported by the ESO

    • Anonymous says:

      If you think that is the reason PPM waited until their final year to give the Civil Service a raise, somebody needs to slap you upside the head…Vote buying my friend, nothing else…2.2 percent, smh, they could have done that last year or the year before but hey Caymanians forget to quickly, give it to them now so you can shout it from the platform and sure up the civil service votes…

  39. Anonymous says:

    Perfect way to buy votes. 2.2% of tax payers money to guarantee another wasted 4 years of representation. I used to back Ppm for many years and never thought they would be the Government who would be responsible for stealing my hardad earned pension money.
    2017 cayman people please vote in new individuals who can make a difference .

    God not is not dead or sleeping!

  40. Anonymous says:

    More lalaland from Alldone and his friends in the bubble.

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