Multi-stakeholder Cannabis Services Advisory Board established in Jersey

The Cannabis Services Advisory Board, a new cannabis trade organisation for the Island of Jersey, has officially launched to play its part in shaping the next phase of the regulated cannabis sector in the British Isles.

In a landmark development for the industry, the Cannabis Services Advisory Board brings together businesses, legislators and other stakeholders in monthly meetings to act as an official conduit between the industry and the Government. It provides input to the Government on commercial industry development issues with a view to further regulation within the British Isles.

The Board members include medical cannabis cultivation business Northern Leaf; cannabis production company Cicada; and cannabinoids group Tenacious Labs. Both Northern Leaf and Cicada hold newly-approved commercial medical cannabis licences allowing cultivation and manufacturing of high-THC medical cannabis for the export market.

The Board has been set up with support from the Government to represent all interested parties in the emerging cannabis sector ranging from growers to financial services. It promotes Jersey worldwide as a financial centre for the sector with the appropriate legislation and regulation. It is open to and welcomes additional members.

The Cannabis Services Advisory Board has already been actively engaged with the Jersey Government initiative to update legislation. The Board has provided critical input and counsel around the Government's recent updates regarding the Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999. On 30th June, the States Assembly passed an amendment which, for the first time, allows businesses on the island to have direct or indirect involvement with legal cannabis sectors overseas without it or its directors falling foul of the Proceeds of Crime legislation – which is not the case elsewhere including in the UK or USA.

Cannabis Services Advisory Board Chairperson, and CEO of Tenacious Labs, Nick Morland says: “The Board provides an essential trade body for cannabis organisations on Jersey. Not only does it take on an ambassadorial role for the industry attracting new investment from across the globe, it also provides a vital communication channel between those organisations and the Government of Jersey.”

“Tenacious Labs is delighted to play a part in helping Jersey in its development of a strong and well-managed island industry for the long term, while also providing a benchmark for what an expertly represented cannabis sector can look like.”

Jersey Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Senator Lyndon Farnham welcomes the establishment of the Cannabis Services Advisory Board. Echoing his sentiments in a recent interview with CBD Business News, he says: “We support the Cannabis Services Advisory Board’s work ensuring quality and safety for Jersey cannabis services and products. We are building a world-leading industry on the island and this kind of voluntary self-regulatory underpinning by those actively engaged with this emergent sector will ensure our products are first class.”