The Channel Islands—British territory located between the U.K. and France—are certainly moving ahead with medical cannabis reform, and further in stark contrast to what is currently afoot on the mainlands of either the U.K. or Europe.

Both Guernsey and Jersey have proceeded with medical reform in a way unseen in the U.K.—and indeed most of the E.U. They are ahead of Isle of Mann off the U.K.’s southern coast, where they plan a multi-million-dollar medical center.

Guernsey has been particularly affected. 5 069 medical cannabis licenses were handed to patients since medical marijuana was legalized in the Pandemic of 2020. Most of them were issued last year. Around 4,500 certificates were made after March 2021. This year, six hundred fifty eight were issued.

The government has begun to issue licenses for medical marijuana cultivation. The island’s first cannabis plant was planted in July 2018. Here are extraction facilities.

The island’s authorities have also consistently backed the growth of the industry here to promote local economic development.

Are there any recreational cannabis cards for the Channel Islands

Set free from onerous restrictions on the British mainland, Guernsey’s government has been quick to support the continued development of the industry. In fact, this year may see recreational reform. This is clearly green money from heaven on an island that has literally thousands of greenhouses.

Jersey has legalized medical marijuana cultivation, although other reforms seem to have been a little slower.

Guernsey, in other words, may become the first recreational cannabis “hotspot” within the U.K. It is moving forward with the medical side.

State of Reform in Britain

Guernsey’s success is in stark contrast to mainland problems. It is still early days for medical marijuana dispensation. One large-scale medical trial called Project Twenty21 was conducted by Drug Science. It has registered over 20,000 people and provides discounted access to medical cannabis. The second trial was recently put on hold by the Harley Street private clinic and focused on chronic pain.

British medical officials do not recognize chronic pain as something that can be treated with medical cannabis. This is because medical cannabis was considered for many other ailments. One in three Britons has chronic pain.

Contrary, in North America, where the Pond is located, chronic pain is the most common reason that cannabis users cite for using the drug.

Guernsey’s Recreational Reform: What Does It Mean?

Guernsey could follow Malta and become the second European island to permit recreational reform given its speed.

They may be able to help the rest of the region implement cannabis reforms faster than their counterparts in other areas, despite being far removed from complicated conversations on the islands and territories they reside.

There are several reasons for this, starting with home rule. These islands are more similar to U.S. States in that they can implement their own cannabis regulations. Cannabis reform is appealing for its potential income.

Guernsey could enact recreational legislation this year, or very soon in next. This will help in moving the debate both in Europe and the U.K. by offering another case study that may be examined by people who are currently deferring or kicking the medical and recreational questions down the road.

While the anti-reform advocates are slowing down medical and recreational reform, they will often cite outdated data. The entire debate moves beyond theoretical to live trials by having self-contained trials in Malta and Guernsey. It is a promising development for reform in general, since the true impact on economies and individuals can be studied in a European context.

In the interim, Guernsey is the ideal place for cannabis patients in the U.K.