Cannabis use is legal - under a special HSSD licence
CANNABIS can be legally smoked in Guernsey under a special licence for medicinal use, Health and Social Services has revealed.
A 'very specific' licence could be issued by the department to allow use of the class B drug. The licence would also authorise its 'importation, possession and supply' by a named person, pharmacist, pharmacy or facility.
The little-known rule came to light after a bedridden islander pleaded to be allowed to smoke cannabis legally as relief for chronic neurological pain.
Despite permission being possible, HSSD admitted that, to the best of its recollection, it had never issued a cannabis licence and does not recall any licence applications having been made.
It said medicinal marijuana would only be made available following a strict and detailed process.
The anonymous middle-aged sufferer welcomed guidelines being in place, but wanted the process sped up for urgent cases.
'To see these conditions and guidelines in place is a good thing for people, but on the other hand when people are in desperate need of medication, they need it today, not six months down the line. Everything really should go in fast forward when there are exceptional cases that arise.'
