ATTEMPTS to decriminalise cannabis use on the British Crown Dependency of Jersey have narrowly failed.

After a debate lasting almost four hours, across two days, late last month, the States Assembly – the Jersey parliament – voted to reject the proposition by 23-22, with one abstention.

However, two parts of the motion brought forward by Deputy Tom Coles covering future approaches towards legalisation and regulation of cannabis will be brought back before the assembly later this year.

Simon Harrison, who runs End Cannabis Prohibition Jersey, said he was not completely discouraged. “It has been a partial success… [it] sets us on a pathway to developing regulations towards how we can approach cannabis in future,” reports the BBC.

Jersey has rapidly become a magnet for British cannabis entrepreneurs, securing over £60m in investment from medical cannabis businesses since 2016, according to the Channel Islands Economic Development Minister.

New Head Of Cannabis Panel

Meanwhile, UK barrister Sarah Clover, who specialises in the regulation of cannabis farming, has been appointed as new chairperson of the Jersey Cannabis Advisory Board (JCAB).

The independent organisation brings together businesses and other stakeholders from the regulated cannabis industry to develop the sector and its regulation on the island.

Ms Clover said the JCAB wanted the island to become a global leader in the regulated cannabis industry.

“JCAB is very active in promoting Jersey as a world leading centre for the development of the cannabis sector, which will be an excellent and timely boost for the island’s economy.

“With effective coordination, cannabis businesses and the regulators can work side-by-side to ensure Jersey’s reputation as a centre of quality and high standards.

“Jersey has a number of advantages in this sector and the future is looking very bright indeed,” reports the BBC.

Meanwhile, a second UK crown dependency, off the coast of the British Isles, has further strengthened its medical cannabis provision.

Following a pilot project which allowed Karsons Pharmacy in Onchan on the Isle of Man a licence to import and dispense cannabis products for those with private prescriptions an ‘unrestricted number of pharmacies’ will be able to apply for licences from July 8.

Medicinal cannabis is not currently available on the island’s NHS and there are no GPs registered to prescribe it, but the pharmacy service opens to the door for patients to be given the product after obtaining prescriptions from private clinics in England.

These two Crown dependencies are leading the way with cannabis reform in UK and there is some hope that a future, potential Labour Government may develop a more positive approach towards cannabis, as the UK General Election gets underway this week.

Swedish Cannabis In Switzerland

Swedish cannabis company ODI Pharma has announced the delivery of its first product into the Swiss market.

In a press release ODI said the delivery, which is facilitated through its Swiss subsidiary, is ‘less significant in terms of economic value but more important from a strategic point of view’.

The company went on to say that ‘it is consolidating its position in the Eastern European medical cannabis market and is exploring additional European markets’.

London-listed Hydrogen Utopia International has taken a of a 49% stake in North Macedonian company Ohrid Organics

Speaking to Proactive, its CEO Aleksandra Binkowska emphasised the immense potential of the medical cannabis market and detailed how the revenue from medical cannabis would fund the company’s plans to build a plastic-to-hydrogen facility in North Macedonia.

The trend towards global cannabis liberalisation was given a further boost with the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) agreeing to decriminalize the possession of cannabis for personal use.

The court’s judgment was delivered late last month and will allow a maximum of 40 grams or six female plants. This places Brazil among at least 14 countries where consumption is no longer criminalised.

Meanwhile US 100 metre sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has secured a spot at this year’s Paris Olympics cementing her comeback from her controversial ban three years ago after eating positive for cannabis.

UK Loyalty Card

One of the UK’s numerous private medical cannabis clinics, which supply a cumulative patient list of some 45,000  has introduced a new loyalty programme.

The Alternaleaf Membership is a £15 per month payment option which grants all patients access to all required appointments, including the initial consultation and follow-ups, for no extra cost.

Alternaleaf has also reduced its pay-as-you-go appointment fees to £39 for initial consultations and follow-up appointments, saving customers £65 per year.

Alternaleaf says its mission to improve ease and access for patients prescribed medical cannabis. Dr Anup Mathew, Medical Director at Alternaleaf, said: “The Alternaleaf Membership gives our patients more flexibility and affordability and will hopefully lower the barrier to treatment for many more people.”

ENDS