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States Greffe
Deputy Kirsten Morel
Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
BY EMAIL 2nd May 2023
Dear Minister,
Regulations for the Licensing, Production and Export of Medicinal Cannabis in Jersey
We write following our correspondence in August of last year regarding the previous Panel's work on the regulations for the licensing, production and export of medicinal cannabis in Jersey.
You may recall that you informed us that revised timelines would be in place by Q4 of 2022 and we note that these now form part of your Ministerial Delivery Plan.
We would be grateful if you could provide clarity on the following:
- What work, if any, is being undertaken with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that all import and export of Medicinal Cannabis is legal and officers (including Customs and Police) have the adequate experience in which to handle both authorised and illicit substances?
- What work, if any, is being undertaken with the Department of Health and Social Services with regards to your involvement as Minister responsible for the medicinal cannabis in agricultural and economic related matters; specifically, regarding the regulation of licences, noting that the Minister for Health and Social Services holds responsibility for the issuance of those licences?
- What work, if any, is being undertaken with the Department for the Environment with regards to the regulation of environmental issues that may be caused from sites being used for the cultivation of cannabis? This may include aspects such as noise, light pollution, water usage and security and whether current Planning Laws should highlight which sites are to be used for the cultivation of cannabis?
- Can you provide us with the number of sites currently operating on the Island and the types of licences they currently hold?
Within your delivery plan, the following points (below in italic) are stated:
In February we will commission further strategic development work that will assist Jersey to continue to establish itself as a hub of cannabis excellence and a gateway to Europe for international cannabis business and investors.'
- What work has been undertaken on this and can you provide further details of how Jersey will establish itself as a hub of cannabis excellence? Can you also provide information on the type of investment, or interest in investment which has been received to date?
In March we will expand the Jersey Cannabis Agency to include broader representation from across Government functions'
- Can you confirm if the Jersey Cannabis Agency has been broadened and who is now included in its membership?
In June we will develop a long-term policy to drive the development of Jersey's own detailed and specific regulations for the medicinal cannabis industry.
- How far in advance is the long-term drive policy and may we have a draft copy? How will considerations regarding resourcing and environmental impact on other industries be addressed? When do you envisage this policy to be complete and will it be shared with Scrutiny for review? What will be its interaction with the Future Economy Programme (FEP) and will it be set out in a separate document from those published in connection with the FEP?
In June we will undertake a risk assessment of the island's cannabis sector and to work in collaboration with the Law Officers Department to provide reassurance that a sufficient legislative base exists for the safe and sustainable development of the sector and to determine the best way to achieve this.
- Can you provide further details of what the risk assessment will entail and what best practice will be used as a comparison? In addition, can you provide further details of what has been provided to the Law Officers Department on which the legislative framework is to be based?
In June we will identify the evolving needs of cannabis operators and investors and the policy areas where Jersey can build a unique competitive advantage to meet these needs.
- Can you provide further details on how the evolving needs of cannabis operators will be identified and on which basis Jersey can build a unique competitive advantage?
We would be grateful if you could respond to this no later by 11th May in line with the 5 working days approved for responses between Scrutiny Panels and Ministers.
If you have any questions regarding this or our work in general, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please note that unless otherwise stated, all letters will be uploaded to the Scrutiny website as a matter of course.
Yours sincerely,
Deputy Moz Scott
Chair
Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel
cc Minister for Health and Social Services
Minister for Environment
Minister for Home Affairs