CBD products now from local crop
LOCALLY-GROWN cannabis extract CBD oils can now be bought in the island for the first time.
The Original Alternative in St Peter Port, which opened two years ago selling a number of products, including CBD oils, started growing cannabis in the island last June and, after experimenting with the produce, now stocks CBD products in its shop from its own crop, the first to do so in the island.
The Original Alternative owner Tina Bolding said almost all of its products sold had been created using its own crop.
‘We started growing as soon as possible once we were given our licence,’ she said. ‘The first crop came around September and we managed to press this and get a quality product that is fully compliant with the law.
‘We only used part of the greenhouse to grow last year, but it was enough to produce products from. This year we will take full advantage of using the whole of the greenhouse when we start growing again in March.’
Ms Bolding, in partnership with senior consultant Ben Birrell, received a licence from a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards to sell the products in 2018.
This came on the back of working on an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Law in the island along with several other individuals and the States in February of that year, when Health & Social Care announced that cannabidiol or cannabidiol derivatives with a concentration of less than 3% by weight were now exempt from the laws governing their possession and supply.
‘It’s the first shop of its kind in the Bailiwick and it’s the first time that this formula of CBD oils, known as Guernsey Gold, has been on sale in the island,’ added Mr Birrell.
‘We’ve been growing for about a year now and we’ve had great results and only positive feedback, the product speaks for itself.
‘We’ve used organic soil, local growers, a real dedicated community has been behind its creation – it’s exceeded all expectations.’
Licensed cannabis firm, the House of Green, which has a number of sites, including the La Hougue Vinery in St Sampson’s and the Orgeris Vinery in the Vale, is also looking to start growing its main crop in March, followed by a harvest in June.
