Prior to this date there was no mechanism for residents to access Cannabis lawfully and these patients had little option but to suffer, with traditional western medicine and pharmaceutical interventions being ineffective for their conditions with potential unpleasant or dangerous side effects or to succumb to engagement with an illegal market.
These people are vulnerable members of our community, vulnerable because they could not work, vulnerable because of their trauma or vulnerable to being criminalised.
“Not all patients can afford a medical prescription”
The committees for Health and Home Affairs have made some greatly appreciated steps forward for those patients who can afford a medical prescription. Both committees have equally recognised since 2017, that substance use of any kind is a health matter. Many cannot afford the newly available prescriptions and will still be tempted to the black market, exposing not just themselves but also Guernsey, to organised crime.
To clarify further Harry Sumnall, in his report commissioned by Dr Brink, advised that the substance use in Guernsey was unique, and in the main limited to Cannabis and repurposed Prescription medication.
With our well-regulated finance industry, we know the benefits of being able to keep somethings very local. We look forward to our prescriptions being locally available in the future.
The GDSC propose that the same regulation can be achieved with the cannabis Industry and to that end, we have outlined a proposal for a framework to operate now, that can work alongside the current need of government to remain focused on Covid and public health whilst protecting our boarders from organised crime by making the availability of locally grown cannabis a regulated industry to islanders.
Pictured: Possession, supply and importation of cannabis are all imprisonable offences.
This would also be a taxable venture, where the system is already in place to receive 20% of profits from cannabis cultivation/sales, thereby supporting not only the poorest members of our community, but also supporting the income base available to the States of Guernsey during this tough economic climate.
Please consider the framework. We stand ready to support you in your efforts to support the 11% of your community that regularly use cannabis, and who are currently struggling.
The proposed framework can be found HERE.