‘We’ll treat CBD oil the same as baked beans’

States chief pharmacist Ed Freestone was speaking about how Guernsey will control the product after Health & Social Care distanced itself from the UK’s Cannabis Trades Association in relation to claims it was working with and authorised by the States.

‘Firstly it’s classed as a foodstuff, so it falls under standard food regulation which would apply to a tin of baked beans,’ said Mr Freestone.

‘The regulation as far as being legal to sell means they have to be under a ruling that we have drawn up.

‘Law enforcement makes sure the product on sale meets the requirements of the law.’

In February, the States announced that products with an aggregate of not more than 3% cannabinol or cannabinol derivatives relative to its CBD content would not be illegal to possess or supply.

‘So if they exceed the 3% of THC or any other kind of cannabinol then they have committed a criminal offence,’ said Mr Freestone.

‘The States analyst checks it, but we ask for a certificate for analysis on import.

‘When they bring a pallet in they have to demonstrate it meets the standard that we’ve set.’

Mr Freestone said the public should not worry about the safety of the products.

‘The public know it’s OK because if they buy it on island they will know it has been through the border, so it will have proved to us that it has met those requirements of the law,’ he said.

But he urged caution for those buying products on the internet.

Medicinal cannabis products are still an issue the States is working on.

‘We have punched a piece of legislation though that says if a drug gets licensed in the UK or Europe which has THC in it then it will be legal in our law,’ said Mr Freestone.

‘If you have a specific condition and your specialist decides what you need is a properly made form of cannabis derivative, you have to apply to the HSC, who will debate it through, get advice then it may grant a licence.

‘The key is the clinician makes the case, not the individual.

‘But the idea is we can make a decision if the patient could access that medicine.’