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Work to develop legislation to regulate and inspect cannabis clinics has commenced after an audit revealed a "significant" difference in prescribing levels between Jersey and England.
However, the policy is not likely to be ready for debate in the States Assembly until 2026.
It comes after the results of an audit of the number of medicinal cannabis prescriptions dispensed in Jersey were published, revealing that some patients had been receiving prescriptions from two or more prescribers in the same month for amounts that "could reasonably be assumed to be for more than one month's supply".
It also emerged that 6% of the island's working population hold a prescription of medicinal cannabis, compared to just 0.05% in England.
The results of the audit sparked alarm in government, with Ministers with political responsibility for medicinal cannabis immediately announcing plans to take action.
Pictured: A recent audit revealed a "significant" difference in prescribing levels between Jersey and England – with 6% of the island's working population holding a prescription compared to just 0.05% over the water.
Environment Minister Steve Luce, who is responsible for regulation, yesterday said "initial scoping work" to develop the policy that will inform the legislative framework to regulate and inspect cannabis clinics has commenced.
In answer to a written question from Deputy Karen Wilson, Deputy Luce explained that the development of the legislation will not begin until after the project to regulate hospital and ambulance services has concluded by the end of 2024.
He said: "On this basis, it is intended to develop legislation throughout 2025 with a view to bringing the necessary amendments to the States Assembly for debate in early 2026."
However, Deputy Luce noted that "the project is at an early stage and so this timetable may change".
Pictured: Environment Minister Steve Luce is responsible for the regulation of medicinal cannabis.
Deputy Wilson also asked the Environment Minister to confirm the number of GP surgeries in the island purchased by medicinal cannabis businesses.
Deputy Luce explained that this information is not held by government, but said that ownership of Jersey companies must be declared annually to the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
"I do not propose to undertake measures to obtain this information as this would not be relevant to my ministerial portfolio," he added.
Pictured: Total herbal and resin cannabis seizures in grams for the last five years. (Jersey Customs and Immigration Service)
It also emerged yesterday that the quantity of herbal and resin cannabis seizures by Jersey Customs and Immigration increased from 3,710g in 2022 to 15,094g in 2023.
However, the number of seizures remained almost the same – with 55 in 2022 and 56 in 2023.
This is down from a high of 76 seizures of a quantity of 71,611g of cannabis in 2019.
Pictured: Total drugs offences recorded each year since 2018. (States of Jersey Police)
Drug prosecution figures have also remained relatively stable over the last few years, according to the States of Jersey Police – with 95 recorded drugs offences in 2021, 90 in 2022, and 104 in 2023.
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