The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
4.14 Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding whether any changes were under consideration to the Island’s drugs policy following the publication of ‘Cannabis: the Evidence for medical Use’ (known as the ‘Barnes Report’): [1(333)]
In the light of recent changes in other jurisdictions and following the publication of Cannabis: the Evidence for Medical Use (known as the “Barnes Report”), is the Minister considering any changes to the Island’s current drugs policy?
Deputy K.L. Moore of St. Peter (The Minister for Home Affairs):
As Members will be aware, the production, possession, supply and importation of cannabis in Jersey is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. While I am responsible through the officers of the States of Jersey Police and the Customs and Immigration Service for drug enforcement matters, any changes to that law or changes to the Island’s current drugs policy are a matter for the Minister for Health and Social Services acting on the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs which is constituted in accordance with that law. I am not making any recommendations to the Minister regarding drug enforcement perspective but it is a matter of public record that, following advice, the Minister for Health and Social Services is considering changes to the medicinal use of cannabis-based substances.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
A supplementary, please? What evidence does the Minister have that our current drugs legislation and policy is as effective as it can be in terms of overall harm reduction to the general population and in particular to our young people?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I pause because I find that that second question has gone some way astray from the original question and I am not properly briefed to address the question as posed by the Deputy . It would be a matter for the Advisory Council to discuss with Ministers their views on drugs policy. Although I have been party to some discussions in relation to the medicinal use of cannabis- based substances, I have not had any further discussions with that body in recent times.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
Will the Minister inform the Assembly how many meetings, if any, she has had since the Minister for Health and Social Services announced a potential change in policy with regards to the implications it will have on the services she oversees?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I think that would be a matter of policy development. As a law and a position changes, then it would be absolutely right for us to look at the implications that affect enforcement policy.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
A supplementary? The question was how many meetings she has had; that has got nothing to do with policy development.
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I have attended one meeting with members of the Advisory Council and the Minister for Health and Social Services.