PROPOSALS for new legislation which would “reduce the criminalisation” of cannabis possession are set to be brought to the States Assembly later this year, the Health Minister has confirmed.
Following a vote by Members last June the minister, Deputy Tom Binet, provided an update to an oral question posed in the Assembly yesterday by Deputy Tom Coles, who brought the original proposition.
Although the decriminalisation of the personal possession and recreational use of cannabis was rejected by politicians following last year’s debate, there was support for clauses requiring ministers to bring forward legislation by November of this year.
Deputy Binet said policy work was taking place to bring proposals covering two principle areas: adjusting possession laws to reduce the criminalisation of cannabis for small-scale personal use; and exploring modelas for the regulated supply of non-medical cannabis.
The Health Minister described the work as “complex”, touching on different areas including health, community safety, the economy and “various international obligations”.
Although he gave no indication of any adjustment to the stipulated target of November, Deputy Binet did admit that there were potential challenges around the work as Deputy Coles asked whether the Health Department had sufficient resources for it.
“I’m unable to guarantee that – I’m hopeful, but I have to confess we are not as well-resourced as I would like us to be,” he said.
Asked about which areas he considered to be the most important, Deputy Binet added: “It is complicated, and it could affect our relationship with the UK, so it will have to be carefully handled, but there are no areas that I feel particularly strongly about.”
Although he voted against decriminalisation in the vote last June, Deputy Binet did vote in favour of bringing new legislation, which is set to encompass the total acceptable allowance for possession, including cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives, restrictions on areas of consumption and driving under the influence of cannabis, and roadside capacity tests.
