Cannabis legalisation inquiry proposed in Guernsey

A requête led by Marc Leadbeater proposes a cross-committee working group to examine regulated cannabis in Guernsey and report back with recommendations by the end of 2026.

A deputy has proposed that the States investigate the legalisation of cannabis in Guernsey by forming a new cross-committee working group. The requête is led by Committee for Home Affairs President Marc Leadbeater and is described as an examination of regulation rather than an immediate change in law. If approved, the group would be required to consult stakeholders and examine models from other jurisdictions before reporting back. A debate in Guernsey is likely to take place in March at the earliest. Known details: - The proposal would create a working group with members from Home Affairs, Health and Social Care, Policy and Resources, Economic Development, and Education, Sport and Culture, led by the Home Affairs representative. - The working group would be asked to return to the States by the end of 2026 with recommendations on a regulated cannabis model, including costs, risks, mitigations, and an implementation timetable. - The note attached to the requête states the proposal "does not seek to legalise cannabis at this stage." The group would be required to consult local stakeholders, external experts, and examine comparative models. - Dan Guilbert, who uses cannabis for medicinal pain relief, welcomed the move and described personal benefits he experienced after surgery. - The growth and cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use was legalised in Guernsey in July 2021, and States figures showed 13,000 licences were issued in 2023. - In 2025, four deputies told the BBC they were opposed to decriminalisation while half of the island's politicians said they were in favour; officials in the previous States term warned moves to legalise the Class B drug could be blocked by the UK government. An earlier investigation was paused due to limited staff resources. Summary: If the requête is approved, the working group would carry out consultations and an evidence-based review and report back by the end of 2026 with detailed recommendations and an implementation timetable. A States debate in Guernsey is expected in March at the earliest, and related proposals in Jersey are also advancing in early February.