Cannabis Legalization in Europe – Luxembourg First, Guernsey Next?

Guernsey has joined the list of countries that will begin processes to organize cannabis in 2022. The Channel Islands seem fixated on having a legal cannabis industry as soon as possible. The European cannabis scene is full of activity. From debates to discussions hosted by lawyers and lawmakers, the continent is close to deciding on its next step in legalizing cannabis.

Guernsey’s strategic location between France and Britain has sparked much debate about medical reform in both countries. The island has a pretty loose cannabis law that only allows hemp.

Unlike other countries in the European Union that consider products containing over 0.2% THC to be illegal, Guernsey regards cannabis contraband as products that contain more than 3% of the total available CBD in the product. This means that in any product with 100g of CBD content, the THC content must not exceed 3g.

Now the government of the state is in the process of engaging in discussions about recreational cannabis. The amazing thing about this development is that the new initiative is supported by Marc Leadbeater. He is a political leader who until recently was a key member of the island’s interior committee on cannabis laws.

Cannabis use in Guernsey

Cannabis is a banned drug in Guernsey. It’s been like this for as long as anyone can remember. Possession, cultivation, supply, import or export of cannabis products is considered illegal and punishable under the island’s laws. The drug is classified as a Class B drug. Violations can be fined and in extreme cases sentenced to prison terms.

Hemp is a legal product in Guernsey. as it is used to make CBD products that serve as therapeutic drugs for the residents of the state. The existing program allows adults over the age of 18 to grow and process hemp plants with low THC content. However, every operator in the industry must apply for a license before being allowed to operate.

The Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation is responsible for the cannabis licensing system in Guernsey, and licenses are renewed every year. The licensing process is pretty strict. The owners must provide information on all aspects of the operation. Information on batch samples, strain types, THC content and extraction procedures must be submitted to the approval committee. Medical staff may prescribe medical cannabis for residents. However, only products that have been manufactured according to pharmaceutical standards may be imported and prescribed.

Leadbeater’s plan for the island’s future

When his Home Affairs Service was called into question, Leadbeater was left with no choice but to resign. The other members wondered if his position as the director of a local hemp company had influenced his perspective on drug reform in the state.

He plans to discuss the full legalization of cannabis. Leadbeater proposes a unique political process to ensure that the measure is presented to all key members of the Guernsey government. According to the activist, cannabis can be used as an economic tool to rehabilitate the huge greenhouses that are scattered across the island.

Since Leadbeater’s plans were revealed, a surge of interest has been felt from various government officials. The island’s former Prime Minister Gavin St. Pier made a statement within days. In the statement, St. Pier wrote that he supports the legalization of cannabis.

He stated that with adequate legislation, the cannabis industry could be regulated, licensed and taxed to achieve economic improvement in the Channel Islands. As the island already has existing mining companies and a licensing system, very few changes will be made.

What all of this means for Guernsey and its neighboring countries

This initiative comes at a time when several European nations are trying to establish recreational cannabis markets. For example, Switzerland and Luxembourg recently announced that their leisure markets will be operational within the next 24 months.

If Guernsey remains committed, the island could very well follow the trend. Despite the small size of the state, this could have a massive impact on the recreational cannabis debate on the continent. Marc Leadbeater’s furore couldn’t have come at a better time. Guernsey is well on the way to becoming the third European country to have a fully recreational cannabis industry. It could also have a huge domestic market while exporting to neighboring countries that cannot meet their needs.

Not to mention the island could be the first part of the UK to introduce recreational cannabis reforms (yes, the island is on the UK side of Brexit).

A politically important step

This important step by Guernsey could spur other cannabis reforms in the UK and other European countries. As predicted, real reform is unlikely to begin in the heart of the UK, but with regional reforms on all sides of Brexit, island lawmakers could take over the baton.

The UK has put all adult cannabis discussions on hold for some time as it tries to stifle the growing craze for the emerging industry. This strategy seems to have backfired as cannabis conferences have sold out since the end of summer.

Germany, which remains the largest force in the European medical cannabis industry, could also join the discussions on recreational cannabis. While decisions are being made underground, Britain is light years ahead of cannabis reforms on all fronts. It has over 130,000 patients registered under its medical cannabis program.

last words

Mark Leadbeater announced that he has teamed up with like-minded cannabis advocates who are also looking forward to debating recreational cannabis legislation in front of lawmakers next year. Most of the current plans depend on Leadbeater’s success in educating Guernsey residents about the economic and medical benefits of recreational cannabis reform. While this awareness campaign is ongoing, Leadbeater said it expects the Health and Welfare Committee to initiate research into the viability of a cannabis regime similar to the model used in Canada.

Until then, Guernsey residents can continue to invest in medical cannabis companies and offshore recreational cannabis companies.

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