WORK to develop a policy that will inform the legislative framework to regulate and inspect cannabis clinics has started, the Environment Minister said, after a recent audit revealed a “significant” difference in prescribing levels between Jersey and England.
However, the legislation is not likely to be ready for debate in the States Assembly until 2026.
The minister’s comments came 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 held a prescription of medicinal cannabis, compared to just 0.05% in England.
This sparked alarm within the government, prompting ministers with political responsibility for medicinal cannabis to announce plans to take action.
Environment Minister Steve Luce, who is responsible for regulation, yesterday said “initial scoping work” to develop the policy that would inform the legislative framework to regulate and inspect cannabis clinics had begun.
In answer to a written question from Deputy Karen Wilson, Deputy Luce explained that the development of the legislation would not begin until after the project to regulate hospital and ambulance services had concluded by the end of this year.
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, the Environment Minister noted that “the project is at an early stage and so this timetable may change”.
