CANNABIS could be decriminalised for personal and recreational use, if States Members back a backbencher’s proposition.
Deputy Tom Coles argues his proposition would “protect Islanders” and align government policy with its own “harm reduction” strategy. In the report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Coles said: “In July 2023, the government launched its ‘Substance Use Strategy’ with change of direction in the way we view and treat those who use substances, including cannabis.
“This strategy moves to a ‘harm reduction’ model which accepts that people will use substances and that, in most cases, substance use is a symptom of a problem rather than the whole problem itself.
“However, by continuing to fine, caution or arrest people with a personal amount of cannabis we are at odds with this strategy.”
He added: “The proposition seeks to protect Islanders whilst working in their best interests, seeking to address limitation of those who are under the influence of cannabis but no longer criminalising those people that choose to use it.”
While low-level possession was recently downgraded to be dealt with at the parish hall level, it can still result in a fine, caution or arrest – and Deputy Coles is calling for the rules to be further relaxed.
The Reform Jersey politician said: “It seems, in effect, that there is a two-tiered system in relation to cannabis in Jersey given that medicinal cannabis can now be legally prescribed.”
His proposition comes after it recently emerged that 6% of the Island’s working population holds a medicinal cannabis prescription.
Deputy Coles added that updating drug policies was “better for our society”.
“In recent times throughout the world the views of, and approach to, cannabis have been changing, with Canada and Uruguay fully legalising it and Germany, South Africa, Thailand and as many as 26 American states legalising recreational use either in private or public.”
The proposition, which will be debated in the States Assembly at the end of June, requests that legislation is brought forward by November 2025 to set parameters on the amount of cannabis Islanders can possess, designated consumption areas, driving restrictions and accurate roadside testing.
Any roadside “breath-style” test must be sufficiently accurate to detect recent use, Deputy Coles said.
He added that funding for the legislative framework would come from the Government Plan.
