Cultivation of agricultural land for medicinal cannabis (FOI)

​Request

I am extremely concerned that agricultural land is being bought for the purposes of growing medicinal cannabis despite Jersey not being a licensing authority.

A
What consideration have the Council of Ministers given to the impact on land values in Jersey of the production of medicinal cannabis?

B
What consideration has been given to the impact on residents living near sites?

C
Has the Council of Ministers / States Assembly approved the pursuit of a licensing regime?

D
Please provide all documents that explain what thought has been given to ensuring the benefits from the development of a medicinal cannabis sector remain in Jersey and what impact the development of the sector will have on other existing sectors including agriculture.

E
If none of this exists what is being done to curb the speculative buying up of agricultural land?

Response

A
The Council of Ministers has, to date, not been asked to give specific consideration to the potential impact on agricultural land values - medicinal cannabis is normally grown in glasshouses or enclosed environments so it is not anticipated it will have any effect on land value. Industrial Hemp is grown outdoors, of relatively low value and is not anticipated to have any effect on land value.
 
B
The Council of Ministers has, to date, not been asked to give specific consideration to the impact on neighbouring residents that may arise if medicinal cannabis production commences in Jersey. A broad range of land use considerations are currently being considered as part of the ongoing Island Plan review.
 
C
A licensing regime to regulate medicinal cannabis production and processing is in development and has therefore not been formally submitted to either the Council of Ministers or the States Assembly for consideration, however briefings have been given to senior Ministers in all relevant Departments.
 
D
Policy documents and a licencing regime are being developed. No Government documentation has yet been finalised that addresses the matter of ensuring the benefits from the development of a medicinal cannabis sector remain in Jersey, however this principle is being directly factored into the policy formation.
 
E
As above (A), medicinal cannabis is grown in protected environments, so speculative purchase of agricultural land is not anticipated, furthermore, the 1964 and 1974 Land Laws prevent non-bone fide agriculturalists from occupying agriculturally conditioned land.