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Cannabis decriminalisation backed by half of Guernsey's deputies
Cannabis decriminalisation backed by half of Guernsey's deputies

BBC News

time11-08-2025

  • Health
  • BBC News

Cannabis decriminalisation backed by half of Guernsey's deputies

Half of Guernsey's deputies support decriminalising cannabis, according to research by the BBC. Eleven of the island's 38 politicians have said they are either undecided on the issue, or will wait to see any proposals before making a decision. While four have expressed their opposition, while 19 supported plans to decriminalise the class B drug locally. Andy Cameron, vice-president for education, sport and culture, said: "I believe the time has come to seriously explore the legalisation, regulation, and taxation of cannabis in Guernsey." During the previous political term, Health and Social Care (HSC) started a "high-level scoping exercise" to examine the legal status of cannabis. But that work was paused after 12 months. HSC President George Oswald was one of those without a firm view on the issue, and has said his committee "looks forward to working with other committees on this workstream, and we look forward to any proposals from the Committee for Home Affairs".Committee for Home Affairs President Marc Leadbeater has been a long time advocate of reforming the island's drug laws. Previously some deputies have warned the UK government would not allow Guernsey to relax the island's drug laws. What is decriminalisation? Cannabis decriminalisation is different to legalisation. Decriminalisation, which is favoured by many deputies, reduces or eliminates criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of and Bailiwick courts take offences related to the possession and trafficking of drugs extremely legalisation refers to the removal of all legal prohibitions against cannabis, allowing adults to purchase and use it similarly to alcohol or tobacco, and equivalent to Amsterdam. Many politicians in Guernsey have said they want to see the island move towards a Canadian model of decriminalisation where people have legal and regulated access to recreational marijuana The medicinal use of cannabis was legalised in Guernsey in 2021 and some politicians have said that system is being abused. Mr Cameron said: "Guernsey currently has de-facto decriminalisation of cannabis. "Almost anyone can obtain a medical cannabis prescription, often for minor conditions. "The high volume of prescriptions has fuelled a widespread diversion market — yet, contrary to past concerns, the sky hasn't fallen in." What work has already been done? In 2022 politicians voted, as part of debate on the government work plan, to allow HSC to do some work scoping a review of decriminalising the drug. However a lack resources at officer level within HSC led to that work being paused in the last political newly-elected deputies, including Deputy David Dorrity, have said they want to see that work completed before they make any decision on whether the class B substance should be decriminalised locally.

Calls to change Guernsey repeat prescription system
Calls to change Guernsey repeat prescription system

BBC News

time31-01-2025

  • Health
  • BBC News

Calls to change Guernsey repeat prescription system

A Guernsey deputy has called for the way medication is prescribed in the island to be a rule 14 question to Health and Social Care (HSC), deputy Andy Cameron asked why the committee had not implemented a "pharmacist-led" repeat prescription Isabel Pontin, who needs medication to treat Crohn's disease, said the system was a "hassle" and difficult to to Deputy Cameron's question, HSC said: "The committee has previously considered and supported recommendations to further explore changes which might benefit patients with regards to repeat prescriptions." At present, patients on long term medication in Guernsey must get a new prescription by visiting their GP every six months, at an average cost of £70.50 per the UK prescriptions can be sent electronically through the NHS App, without the need for a doctor's appointment. Deputy Cameron claimed the need to see a doctor for a repeat prescription was costing islanders millions of pounds a year."If we look at the UK, 43% of the population are on repeat prescriptions," he said. "If we transfer that over to Guernsey, at £70 per appointment every three months that roughly equates to £8m going into GP practices, rather than staying in the public's pockets." 'Not something you budget for' Miss Pontin is a student at university in the UK but, due to issues transferring her care, she still collects her prescriptions from said: "As a uni student, it is not something you budget for and it wasn't something when I got diagnosed, that I thought I would have to budget for."With this treatment I am okay most of the time, so it's just a small chat to get a prescription which I don't think you should have to pay 70 quid for." Deputy Cameron said people he had spoken to were "extremely annoyed" about the said: "It's an inefficient use of their time, a pharmacy would be much better suited to issue these prescriptions."GP fees rose earlier this month, with one medical group telling the BBC that inflation, medical insurance and staff expenses had all contributed to the Cameron said it would be "morally wrong" if surgeries were using the money from prescription appointments to "bolster them up".In a response to Cameron, the HSC committee said: "Some provisional scoping has been undertaken but the substantive policy, contractual and legislative changes required to facilitate such changes, and the associated funding, will be explored as part of the strategic portfolio for sustainable health and care in the Government Work Plan 2025-29."The committee remains supportive of primary care and pharmacy reform, which could see an expansion of services provided by community pharmacies."

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