Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Medical cannabis could be legalized in Jersey and Guernsey due to the findings of a report rejected in the UK.
The islands' governments are reviewing laws around the drug, citing a report commissioned and "ignored" by a UK parliamentary committee.
Report author Professor Mike Barnes said evidence found "no reason" not to legalize cannabis for medical use, and UK laws were "behind" other countries.
The Home Office said "rigorous standards" were needed.
The States of Jersey said the report, Cannabis: the Evidence for Medical Use, formed the basis for the planned changes across both islands.
It was reviewed by Jersey's Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council, which recommended considering reclassifying some cannabis-based products.
Currently cannabis is listed as having "no recognized medicinal value" under misuse of drugs laws in the UK, Jersey and Guernsey.
Jersey's health minister Senator Andrew Green and president of Guernsey's committee for health and social care, deputy Heidi Soulsby, have been working on the proposals together.
Both governments stressed the move would not "legalize cannabis or any of its derivates", which would remain controlled substances, and Senator Green called the move a "small cautious step" down the medicinal route.
The Barnes Report: Background
Commissioned in May 2016 by the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform
Professor Michael Barnes and his daughter Dr Jennifer Barnes conducted a literary review of more than 20,000 papers concerning the use of drugs containing cannabinoids, a compound found in cannabis
The results showed "indisputable evidence" that cannabis-based medication helped "with a wide range of conditions", according to Professor Barnes
Strong evidence was found to support treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, nausea and vomiting, particularly in the context of chemotherapy, and anxiety
It concluded further research was being "stifled" by the government's classification of cannabis as having "no medical benefit"
On hearing of the move in the Channel Islands, Professor Barnes said he was "very pleased", and wished the UK would follow suit.
He said the UK was "well behind the rest of the world" and the current position of cannabis having "no medical benefit" was "unreasonable".
He added legalizing cannabis for medical use would help developers research and produce better products.
The current system, where interested parties must apply for a Home Office license before being able to research and develop products, is too time consuming, according to the professor.
A spokesman from the Home Office said it had "no plans" to legalize cannabis, and the drug currently has no recognized medicinal benefits in its "raw form" in the UK.
He added the cannabis-based medicine Sativex, used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, was currently in circulation after being "rigorously tested" by the government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The Home Office said the UK was "open" to considering applications for other medicinal cannabis products, and would consider issuing licenses to enable trials if a product complied with "appropriate ethical approvals".
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical cannabis use could be legal in Channel Islands - BBC News
Contact: BBC Contact Us - Home
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home - BBC News
The islands' governments are reviewing laws around the drug, citing a report commissioned and "ignored" by a UK parliamentary committee.
Report author Professor Mike Barnes said evidence found "no reason" not to legalize cannabis for medical use, and UK laws were "behind" other countries.
The Home Office said "rigorous standards" were needed.
The States of Jersey said the report, Cannabis: the Evidence for Medical Use, formed the basis for the planned changes across both islands.
It was reviewed by Jersey's Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council, which recommended considering reclassifying some cannabis-based products.
Currently cannabis is listed as having "no recognized medicinal value" under misuse of drugs laws in the UK, Jersey and Guernsey.
Jersey's health minister Senator Andrew Green and president of Guernsey's committee for health and social care, deputy Heidi Soulsby, have been working on the proposals together.
Both governments stressed the move would not "legalize cannabis or any of its derivates", which would remain controlled substances, and Senator Green called the move a "small cautious step" down the medicinal route.
The Barnes Report: Background
Commissioned in May 2016 by the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy ReformProfessor Michael Barnes and his daughter Dr Jennifer Barnes conducted a literary review of more than 20,000 papers concerning the use of drugs containing cannabinoids, a compound found in cannabis The results showed "indisputable evidence" that cannabis-based medication helped "with a wide range of conditions", according to Professor BarnesStrong evidence was found to support treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, nausea and vomiting, particularly in the context of chemotherapy, and anxietyIt concluded further research was being "stifled" by the government's classification of cannabis as having "no medical benefit"On hearing of the move in the Channel Islands, Professor Barnes said he was "very pleased", and wished the UK would follow suit.
He said the UK was "well behind the rest of the world" and the current position of cannabis having "no medical benefit" was "unreasonable".
He added legalizing cannabis for medical use would help developers research and produce better products.
The current system, where interested parties must apply for a Home Office license before being able to research and develop products, is too time consuming, according to the professor.
A spokesman from the Home Office said it had "no plans" to legalize cannabis, and the drug currently has no recognized medicinal benefits in its "raw form" in the UK.
He added the cannabis-based medicine Sativex, used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, was currently in circulation after being "rigorously tested" by the government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The Home Office said the UK was "open" to considering applications for other medicinal cannabis products, and would consider issuing licenses to enable trials if a product complied with "appropriate ethical approvals".
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical cannabis use could be legal in Channel Islands - BBC News
Contact: BBC Contact Us - Home
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home - BBC News
