False statements and confusion - HSC speak out to clarify Cannabis position

Friday 17 August 2018

Health & Social Care have released a statement clarifying its position with regards to two UK cannabis bodies, who they say have made false claims to be authorised by the States.

The Cannabis Traders Association incorrectly states it was involved with ongoing work being undertaken by the States in respect of the hemp and medicinal cannabis industry, HSC said.

Additionally, the committee said "no industry lobby groups or sellers/manufacturers of CBD oil products were involved in the decision of HSC to amend the Misuse of Drugs (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1974, to enable the local importation and sale of certain CBD products".

This comes following a statement issued from the parent company of a new CBD oil shop in Town. CBD Brothers said it had worked with the States, and that the States had come to it to ask for help - remarks which are being said to be false and misleading.

While Health & Social Care, Home Affairs and Economic Development have all been working together to develop opportunities for a liecnsed and regulated hemp and medicinal cannabis industry, they are doing so as the States of Guernsey, not with the involvement of these third parties. The committees said they recognised the potential economic benefit for Guernsey: "however, these discussions have focused on the business opportunities under the current legal framework."

The false statement situation was first brought to light by Home Affairs Deputy Mark Leadbeater, but now Health & Social Care have taken steps to entirely clarify its position in regards to the Cannabis Traders Association.

The CTA claims to be an official body that works with both the government in the UK, and the cannabis industry, to "develop new opportunities".

But a spokesperson for Health & Social Care said: "CTA is not working with the States Analyst, Roland Archer, with whom they have had emailed correspondence, no more.  Two days after the CTA made their most recent statement, their representative met with HSC staff for the first time as a result of an introduction by a third party.

"The claims by organisations such as CTA or CBD Brothers regarding their dealings with the States of Guernsey on legislative matters are incorrect and misleading.

"Guy Coxall of the CTA has recently gone on record to say he will be working with the States of Guernsey on policy developments and a new “Cannabis Products Directive”. This is not the case, and Guernsey will continue to liaise with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the UK Home Office on the status of this directive and other developments in the industry."