Fewer than 100 gummies handed in during Class A drugs amnesty

Thursday 21 April 2022

A seven-day amnesty to hand in cherry-flavoured CBD gummies which contained Class A drugs ended overnight.

At 17:00, only 82 individual gummies had been surrendered. Law enforcement officials thought it was possible but unlikely that more would be handed in by the midnight deadline.

The Guernsey Border Agency said: "While other flavours remain on sale as they meet the required levels, this batch of cherry gummies was identified as exceeding the maximum levels following a routine spot check by officers.

"These spot checks have been taking place as part of an agreement between retailers and the Border Agency since the sale of CBD products was legalised.

"Going forwards, the Border Agency will continue to work with local retailers regarding this matter."

Pictured: The Border Agency worked with the Police to identify gummies which retailers were selling over the counter not knowing that they contained high levels of a Class A drug.

The amnesty started last Thursday after a high level of an illicit cannabinoid - categorised as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Law of 1974 - was found in gummies which retailers in Guernsey had inadvertently been selling over the counter as if they were legal CBD products.

During the amnesty, anyone in possession of the gummies was able to hand them in to police or customs officials without facing prosecution for unlawful possession of a Class A drug.

Possession of Class A drugs is a criminal offence which can attract a substantial fine or a term of imprisonment.

Pictured: The States' website explains the legal position in relation to CBD products following changes to drugs legislation made in 2018 and 2019. The link can be found HERE.

In a joint statement issued when the amnesty began, the Police and Border Agency said: "The effects of these gummies do not comply with other CBD products and can have a much stronger psychoactive effect than advertised.

"Because of the potential health risks they pose, and because of the high content of illicit cannabinoids, islanders should not consume or retain possession of these products.

"Possession, supply or importation of a product containing a Class A controlled drug remains a criminal offence for which people can be arrested and prosecuted."

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