Further interest in licences to grow and process cannabis

While potential applicants might well be told they do not have the necessary resources to establish such an operation, if they can prove viability then a green light is possible.

Currently, there are three licence holders in Guernsey and Chief Pharmacist Ed Freestone said there was further interest.

Licences are renewed annually and holders must provide evidence on all facets of the operation from strain type, batch samples and extraction process to the security measures, staff DBS checks and main investors.

The initiative is HSC’s but it has been created in tandem with Law Enforcement and both parties have the ability, without warrant, to search a licensed premises and collate evidence.

‘A sole trader in theory could apply for a licence but we may well tell them that they do not have the firepower to undertake an operation like this. Cannabis is a very difficult plant to process and there are many stringent rules that have to be followed. If they aren’t then the licence holder is liable to prosecution and could end up in prison,’ said Mr Freestone.

In the EU cannabis is deemed illegal if it has a THC content of more than 0.2%.

This year’s change in the law means that in the Bailiwick it works on a ratio basis of CBD to THC.

CBD is a compound found in cannabis that is not psychoactive and is promoted to have positive medical effects for a range of ailments.

THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, what is known as the high, and in its pure form remains a Class A controlled drug.

That means here it is legal to have a THC content of no higher than 3% of the gross CBD in any single batch.

This means that for every 1,000 grams of CBD there can be no more than 30g of THC present.

‘To be able to monitor licence holders and what they are producing for every batch they must apply for a certificate of analysis by sending samples to the States Analyst or another reputable laboratory.

‘That way you can demonstrate that it is legal.

‘As well as that you have to tell us everything about your whole process lists of seeds, strains, how you go about extracting whether it is sub-critical or using cold press – everything because we have to make sure that it remains legal.

‘I have the power, as do Law Enforcement, to walk in without a warrant at any time and carry out checks.’

Mr Freestone is not sure where the industry will go in the coming years.

‘I have no idea which way it is going to go, it is not our problem whether they make money or not but that will be the key decider in whether the industry goes anywhere.’

He added: ‘With this guide we have gathered all the agencies together in one place to be able to give all the required information to any potential applicant.’