Trinidad gov’t to raise legal ages for gambling, marijuana and alcohol

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced sweeping legislative changes aimed at protecting youth, supporting retirees, and bolstering public safety, including raising the legal age for gambling and marijuana use to 25, and for alcohol consumption to 21.

Speaking Monday night at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Report in Penal — her first such address since the party’s April 28 General Election win — Persad-Bissessar laid out the administration’s upcoming legislative agenda, touching on tax reforms, crime prevention, and public event regulation.

Persad-Bissessar confirmed the Government will bring legislation to Parliament to raise the legal age thresholds for marijuana, gambling, and alcohol use. She had campaigned heavily on this issue, citing growing concerns about the harmful effects of drug use and addiction among young people.

The Prime Minister also revealed plans to review and amend tax laws affecting pensions, arguing that retirees who have contributed to the system for decades should no longer be taxed after the age of 60.

“I believe that once a person reaches 60 and has been contributing to the pension system for decades, they should no longer be taxed on their retirement benefits,” she said. “This ongoing tax lessens the value of a pension…and can feel like double taxation.”