Ministers have informed the States that they require additional time to develop legislation to decriminalise the personal use of cannabis. The States Assembly is set to debate plans from Deputy Tom Coles next week, who argues that the current regulations have “created a two-tier system.”
Deputy Tom Coles’ Proposal
Deputy Tom Coles’ proposal aims to ensure that individuals caught with small amounts of cannabis do not face criminal action. This initiative seeks to address the inconsistencies in the current system that disproportionately affects certain groups of people.
Ministers Seek Deadline Extension
Ministers are advocating for a change in the deadline, stating that there is insufficient time to conduct the necessary research and safety investigations. They propose to present their findings and recommendations by November 2025, after which the States would need to debate the new proposals.
Conflicting Timelines
Deputy Tom Coles insists that the government should complete the legislative changes by November 2025. This deadline aims to expedite the process and ensure timely reforms in the cannabis decriminalisation laws.
Deputy Alex Curtis’ Additional Proposal
Deputy Alex Curtis supports the decriminalisation of cannabis and also advocates for the decriminalisation of its cultivation. He argues that this measure would “prevent the scenario in which an individual could be criminalised for growing a quantity of cannabis that, once dried, would be decriminalised to possess and consume.”
Upcoming Debates
The debates on these proposals are scheduled to commence on Tuesday. The discussions are expected to be comprehensive, addressing various aspects of cannabis decriminalisation, including personal use and cultivation.
The push for cannabis decriminalisation in the States is facing potential delays as ministers call for more time to ensure thorough research and safety measures. While Deputy Tom Coles and Deputy Alex Curtis push for more immediate changes, the ministers’ proposed extension highlights the complexity of implementing such reforms. The upcoming debates will be crucial in determining the future of cannabis legislation.
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