Jersey has become one of the world’s most prolific users of prescribed medicinal cannabis, with approximately 4,300 residents—around 4 percent of its population—currently receiving prescriptions. This figure far exceeds the rate in the United Kingdom, where only about 0.1 percent of the population have legal cannabis prescriptions. The British Crown dependency has dramatically shifted its cannabis policies over the past decade, evolving from near-total prohibition to establishing one of the most liberal regulatory frameworks in the British Isles.
The rise in medicinal cannabis use on the island has been accompanied by growing demand and a variety of products dispensed through 20 prescribing clinicians and five private cannabis clinics. Since 2019, these clinics have legally provided formulations including gummies, vapes, oils, inhalers, patches, and dried cannabis. Between 2024 and 2025, the volume of products prescribed increased by 35 percent, reaching over 72,000 items last year. Typical monthly patient costs range from £70 to £400. Conditions commonly treated include insomnia, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Patients like Tanya Mitchell and James Bedding have credited medicinal cannabis with significantly improving their quality of life. Mitchell, 84, who suffered from severe hip pain, reports being pain-free since beginning treatment in early 2023. Bedding, a quadriplegic, uses cannabis daily to control muscle spasms and praises the availability of consistent legal supply.
However, alongside growing acceptance, concerns about the mental health impacts of medicinal cannabis have intensified. Andy Weir, Jersey’s mental health lead, noted a surge in hospital admissions related to psychosis and deterioration in mood linked to prescribed cannabis use. Recent data shows that within six months, nearly one-third of patients admitted to the island’s mental health unit reported cannabis use, both legal and illicit. The drug was identified as a contributing factor in 22 percent of admissions last year. These figures echo wider research associating heavy cannabis use, particularly THC exposure, with increased psychosis risk.
Authorities are also investigating cases where prescribed cannabis may have played a role in suicides, including an ongoing inquest and a prior inquiry into the death of Rebecca Vibert, who reportedly experienced adverse mental health effects from medicinal cannabis.
Law enforcement officials have raised additional concerns about the misuse of prescriptions through “clinic-hopping” and the illicit resale of high-strength cannabis products. Chief Inspector Mark Haffey described the phenomenon of splitting—patients selling part of their prescribed medication—as a significant challenge that complicates efforts to differentiate legal from illegal cannabis.
Moreover, the relaxation of cannabis regulations has revealed legal loopholes exploited by commercial retailers. In St Helier, shops have been selling cannabis edibles with THC levels far exceeding UK legal limits by leveraging Jersey’s allowance of THC content up to 3 percent of the cannabidiol (CBD) weight, a far higher threshold than the 1mg THC limit imposed in the UK. The government has acknowledged reports of minors attempting to purchase these products and is actively considering regulatory changes to address the issue.
Jersey’s government has also sought to promote the cannabis industry as a means of diversifying its rural economy. Agricultural licences to grow and export cannabis have increased substantially, with over 160 export licences issued in 2025—up from 26 in 2023. Although businesses can cultivate and export cannabis, local sales remain tightly controlled. Operators, such as the Caprica company, produce large quantities for export to the UK, where the cannabis is processed and distributed.
Health Minister Tom Binet signaled plans to strengthen regulatory oversight of private cannabis clinics by early next year. Proposed measures include mandatory in-person consultations every 90 days, medical record reviews before issuing prescriptions, and compulsory reporting of adverse drug reactions. Binet acknowledged existing regulations are outdated and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the rising incidence of psychosis linked to cannabis use.
Critics, including Sir Robin Murray, a psychiatric research professor, have voiced concern that Jersey’s clinics prioritize commercial interests over thorough medical evaluation. Meanwhile, the evolving cannabis landscape continues to challenge police and health services tasked with managing its benefits and risks.