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Thank you all so much for your bravery and support in this. I would like to share with you all the following proposal that was sent to all our deputies here in Guernsey: Dear Deputies. Apologies for the length of this email, I have tried to compress my thoughts and ideas as much as possible, I hope at least some of you will be able to find the time to read it in full, I look forward to hearing any feedback you are able to provide. Proposal towards new Guernsey Drug Strategy 2015-2020 Introduction In this document I outline my thoughts towards a proposal aimed at combating illegal drug use in Guernsey, and bring public attention to a dangerous trend in drug use locally. I have spoken to States deputies, local youth and drug charities, current and former local drug users, local non users, the drug strategy co-ordinator, and spent time studying reports and public health information relating to both physical and mental health issues relating to use of certain drugs, in order to compile this report. Reason for concern My attention was first drawn to this issue when I visited a friend of mine, a local occasional cannabis user whom I have known for some years. When I made this particular visit, I found this person in a state of ill health, they told me they had been this way for nearly 24 hours and it started very shortly after they had consumed a small amount of what they believed at the time to be cannabis. They claimed that it had started with a severe headache, followed by nausea, vomiting, a feeling of hot and cold, and bouts of uncontrollable shaking, something they had never experienced after using cannabis. Although they claimed they were starting to feel better, I questioned why they had not called for medical help. They told me they had not for fear of repercussions such as arrest or losing their job. They had made a full recovery after 48 hours. After conducting research on the internet I quickly realised that what they had consumed was in fact a ‘synthetic cannabis’, a chemical substance not containing any cannabis, but with claimed similar effect. These synthetics are produced completely unmonitored and unregulated, and lists of ingredients sometimes used in their production make for horrifying reading, and they are made to look exactly like either herbal cannabis, or cannabis resin. Rather concerned by this incident, I sought to make contact with people I had met previously that had mentioned or suggested that they had used cannabis. During my conversations with these persons, I discovered that most who used cannabis on a regular basis had come across these ‘synthetics’ a number of times, and most reported that they had experienced similar reactions as my friend, all claimed that at the time they thought that what they had was cannabis resin. In Europe several deaths have been linked to these ‘synthetics’ some resulting from a single use of the substance. I suspect people sending these drugs to the island are doing so because they are very cheap to obtain in Europe, and as it is sold as cannabis locally, commands a high price and a massive profit for the importers. As the ingredients of these unregulated products change frequently, it is harder for authorities to detect them coming into the island. While conducting further research on the subject of cannabis resin, I discovered that what users had described to me as being cannabis resin and my own personal knowledge of it, did not fit with information available online describing the substance. I discovered that the cannabis resin most available locally, was in fact a product made by mixing a small amount of cannabis resin with a large amount of filler material. These filler materials can consist of substances such as burnt rubber\car tires, ash from general waste, brick dust, powered metal fillings, animal excrement, mud, and solvents. Please read the last two sentences again. Local people are using these products, believing that they are safe, as cannabis is widely regarded as a safe drug, and this belief will only increase as more countries legalise or lift restrictions on it. There is even talk among local deputies of reducing the punishments for people found in possession of small amounts of cannabis, further perpetuating the idea that cannabis is a safe drug, but it appears that locally this couldn’t be further from the truth. A vast number of professionals and organisation worldwide have studied the effects of herbal cannabis on both mental and physical health, most are in agreement that the moderated use of herbal cannabis in healthy adults over 18 is unlikely to cause adverse effects on their health, but that long term abuse\excessive use of it can cause various health implications, but in most cases these are not serious. Where cannabis has been proven to cause mental health issues is in youths, particularly under 15’s, where studies have linked it causing depression, anxiety, and in some cases, schizophrenia. I will emphasise that none of those conditions were linked to cannabis use in over 18’s. Currently there are no systems in place making it harder for youths to get hold of cannabis locally then there are for adults, as the distribution is illegal it goes unregulated. For further information on the effects of cannabis, please view the website of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or the NHS website. In relation to young people being exposed to cannabis, here are figures obtained from a 2013 survey of local youths of secondary school age: http://www.education.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=85006&p=0 21% of pupils responded that they are ‘fairly sure’ or ‘certain’ that they know someone who uses drugs that are not medicines. 9% of pupils responded that they have been offered cannabis. 6% of pupils responded that they have taken at least one of the drugs listed. 1% of pupils responded that they have taken at least one of the drugs listed within the last month. 4% of pupils responded that they have used cannabis. And the findings for post 16 year olds are as follows: http://www.education.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=86614&p=0 Do you know anyone who personally who takes drugs? 65% Fairly sure/ Certain they know someone 41% have been offered cannabis (I find that figure extremely troubling) 14% have been offered ecstasy 68% have never taken cannabis 9% have taken cannabis in the last month If 68% have never taken cannabis, this suggests that 32% have at some point. And yet despite this, when I contacted the co-ordinator of Drug Strategy, they told me figures were low and not a concern. I feel that 9 out of 100 secondary school children being offered cannabis, and 4 out of 100 deciding to use it is a major concern (these are children we’re talking about) considering the damage cannabis use can cause in under 15s, add to that the danger that they could in fact be taking a deadly synthetic cannabis without realising, it paints a very worrying picture. Further concerns were brought to my attention during this call when the co-ordinator told me that while they accepts that synthetic cannabis is extremely dangerous, they feels an article in the press advising it is dangerous was an adequate way to combat it's use, although they accepted that users may not be able to tell the difference and said that they should check with the person selling it to them that it is a genuine cannabis. That is one of the most baffling things I have heard on the subject, the co-ordinator of local drug strategy believes that drug dealers have a customer care policy? They obviously don't have a minimum age policy as the 4% of youths using cannabis proves. As far as I am concerned, anything above 0% of youths using cannabis is not acceptable. A Solution What can be done locally to stop youngsters getting hold of cannabis, and to stamp out the harmful and potentially deadly ‘synthetic cannabis’ situation and the tainted cannabis resins found in the island? We believe that the only effective solution is to legalise, regulate and tax carefully selected strains of herbal cannabis in the island for both medical and recreational purposes. By no means a full legalisation, but rather a system put in place that pre-registered local people could purchase small amounts of strictly regulated, local grown herbal cannabis. Islanders who wish to partake would apply (using an approved form of ID) for an ID card that would entitle them to buy a limited amount of cannabis per week, these purchases recorded on a computer system at the dispensary by means of scanning a barcode on the persons ID card, to prevent people buying more than the allowed amount. In doing this, we can reduce the demand for illegal cannabis locally, as users will not buy an inferior illegal product, when a better quality legal variant is available cheaper, the island will no longer be a target for people dealing in illegal cannabis, and that will lead to it being much harder for youngsters to get hold of it in any form. Only cannabis obtained from the dispensary would be legal, resins would remain illegal, as would re-selling any legally obtained product, further preventing users from consuming more than the allowed limit. Using it in a public place would be an offence, as would driving shortly after use. I strongly believe that a system along these lines would have little impact on people who don’t use cannabis (the most common concern among non users that I have spoken too). Another concern among non users locally is the fear of encouraging more people to smoke who wouldn’t normally, but what they don’t realise is that the most effective way to use herbal cannabis is with a device called a vaporiser or consuming it with food. Using heat and water, a vaporiser device creates a vapour from the cannabis, which is inhaled, resulting in no smoke intake. This is the delivery method used during scientific studies. The user feels the effect the same way they would from smoking it, but without the smoke, the used up plant matter left over is safely disposed of. These are the way users should be encouraged to use the product, currently not possible with what circulates illegally in the island. This is also the standard method for people using medical cannabis in the US and Europe. I do not feel that these proposals would encourage cannabis use as a recreational drug in anyway, if people don’t want to try it then they won’t, just as many do not smoke or drink alcohol. However if people do decide they want to try it, it will be much safer for them to do so than is presently the case. We can never stamp out drug use completely, we know this, but we can bring it under control and break taboo surrounding it. What if Guernsey becomes a tourist drug hotspot? The system i suggest would only be available to people living and working on the island, people on social benefit or job seekers would be subject to certain restrictions, and people in some form of employment slightly less restrictions. People with a medical condition where cannabis can be used as a treatment could have access to it on a prescription basis. All applicants would be required to produce a certificate from their doctor confirming that they have no existing mental health problems that could be aggravated by cannabis use. These conditions of use, along with many others that would need to be drawn out, will send a clear message that Guernsey is not a place with a relaxed view to cannabis use, but rather a place with strict and responsible polices towards drug use, as has always been the islands stance. How much is this all going to cost? Once a strategy is defined and put into law, for a relatively small outlay, a former vinery site could be restored, high fences with climbing deterrents installed, a security system fitted along with CCTV and a direct link to the police station. Alternatively, an indoor site could be used and the cannabis grown hydroponically, although this is less environmentally friendly. An experienced cannabis grower would be hired from Europe or the US to act as a consultant to both select suitable strains to be grown, and to train employees at the site how to grow it correctly. The cannabis would then be distributed from a dispensary, an inconspicuous outlet, maybe housed in one of the many empty town shops. Not decorated with cannabis leaves like an Amsterdam coffee shop, but a more clinical setting. Smoking within the building would not be permitted, but users would be able to sample strains of cannabis in the secure environment of the facility if they so wish, before selecting the correct strength for them to take away and use at home. A suggested weekly limit would be 5grams of cannabis per week for a recreational user, this would cost a suggested £60, £40 for the product plus £20 in tax. As an example, if just 500 users brought only half their limit per week for a year, that is over a quarter of a million pounds just in tax, the half a million revenue from the product will cover the cost of production, admin, distribution and fund a program to help people who feel they may be developing a problem with cannabis use (I don’t believe drug dealers have such a policy). If it turned out there are more like 4000 cannabis users in the island, we are talking a massive boost to the islands finances, and a massive amount removed from the pockets of drug dealers. Tax monies raised could fund a variety of local projects and education programs, in further efforts to curb drug use. The Medical side As many will have heard, there are more and more studies being conducted into the use of cannabis as a medical treatment for a wide variety of conditions. Guernsey already has a system in place that people can use cannabis for medical reasons, but little guidance is available on this is seems, and as its such a taboo subject locally, few are considering this as an option. There are many promising results coming out of studies of cannabis as a cancer treatment, although these are limited due to restrictions on the substance, further information on this can be found on Cancer Research UKs website. By allowing responsible cannabis use in such a small community, we could open the door to UK and European organisations wishing to conduct further studies into its uses. This combined with the many other attractive aspects to conducting business in Guernsey, could result in it becoming a base for medical research into cancer treatments, something the island currently lacks somewhat, with many being sent off-island for such treatments. Cannabis has also been proven as a successful treatment in some cases, of conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as associated conditions such as anorexia. Conditions that currently have treatments with quite limited success, and often come with undesired side effects. In Conclusion I hope that if nothing else can be taken from this, that we realise that Guernsey does have a problem in the way it deals with cannabis use, and the way these users are treated and looked upon currently does nothing to help the situation. Decent, working, otherwise law abiding persons caught using cannabis in the island, can lose their job, their friends, and find themselves cast outside of the rest of society, for nothing more than consuming a herb, and causing no harm to anybody. I must emphasise that this proposal is in no way meant to encourage or condone cannabis use, but to make it much harder for youngsters to get hold of it, and to better monitor, educate, and look out for those already using it responsibly, while at the same time breaking the stereotypes associated with it, and destroying the illegal trade in the drug locally, thus wiping out the very real threat from synthetic forms of the drug, a threat which at this time we have no way of fighting. Do people really have to die before we do anything about this? I realise change is hard to take, especially on a subject so rarely discussed openly as this, but with the right approach, I feel we could make partially legalised cannabis work as part of a new drug strategy for Guernsey. A strategy where those that are already using cannabis can continue to do safely and legally, and those that already can for medical purposes have the confidence to so without fear of judgement. I would welcome any feedback on this matter, and would encourage anyone who see’s sense in at least looking into this idea, to email their deputies and voice their support, and to sign the petition. Useful reading for those interested http://www.gov.gg/article/113463/Drug--Alcohol-Strategy-2015---2020 https://www.change.org/p/deputies-and-law-officers-of-the-channel-islands-legalize-marijuana-and-hemp-in-the-channel-islands/share?after_sign_exp=default&just_signed=true http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cannabis-eases-chronic-pain-better-than-commonly-prescribed-opioids-study-suggests-10003330.html http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/07/25/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/#can-treat http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/legal-pot/pediatric-academy-now-says-medical-marijuana-may-help-some-ill-n293176 http://naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/medical-marijuana-the-future-of-breast-cancer-therapy/ Please keep sharing and educating to encourage people to sign. 'Be the change you want to see in the world'