Last week, Gigi Hadid and a friend admitted guilt to charges of bringing marijuana and related items for its use into the Cayman Islands.
The 28-year-old model, Gigi Hadid, and her friend, Leah McCarthy, appeared in court on July 12, where they were fined $1,000 in Cayman Islands Dollars. As per the statement released by the Cayman Islands’ Customs & Border Control, no conviction was officially recorded.
Furthermore, a spokesperson from the Cayman Islands’ Judicial Administration verified that both Hadid and McCarthy promptly paid their fines.
On July 10, Hadid and McCarthy were arrested upon their arrival on a private airplane, and subsequently subjected to a luggage search, which led to the discovery of a small quantity of marijuana, as stated by Customs & Border Control. Two days later, court documents reveal that they were sentenced for two offenses: the importation of a controlled drug and the importation of a drug utensil.
Can You Bring Cannabis to the Cayman Islands Legally?
According to a representative for Hadid, the 28-year-old was carrying marijuana that was legally purchased in New York City, and she possessed a valid medical license for it.
The representative stated, “Medical use of marijuana has been legal in Grand Cayman since 2017.” They further affirmed that Hadid’s record remained untarnished, and she had a pleasant time during the rest of her stay on the island.
As per the 2019 fact sheet issued by the National Drug Council of the Cayman Islands, the import or export of cannabis in any form across the Cayman border is strictly prohibited. This prohibition applies to all countries, regardless of its legal status there, even if the cannabis is prescribed for medical purposes.
In the Cayman Islands, the recreational use of cannabis in any form is illegal. However, cannabis extracts and traces of cannabis can be utilized for therapeutic and medical reasons, provided they are prescribed by a licensed doctor in the region.
Last year, Brittney Griner, a prominent WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, faced a high-profile international incident when she was arrested for allegedly carrying marijuana paraphernalia. The arrest took place in Moscow during February 2022, where she was accused of attempting to bring vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil into Russia. Five months later, Griner pleaded guilty to the charges.
Despite being initially sentenced to nine years in a penal colony by a Russian judge, she was eventually released after 10 months as part of a prisoner exchange program. In December, she returned to the United States.
Gigi Hadid said, “All is well that ends well” in the Cayman Islands
Hadid posted on Instagram on Tuesday, sharing some snapshots from her vacation along with the caption: “All’s well that ends well.”
The supermodel, who is also a mother to her 2-year-old daughter named Khai, whom she shares with her ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik, uploaded additional photos during her vacation. She shared pictures of herself in a bikini just a few days after her reported court appearance.