The results of the public consultations into the medicinal use of cannabis and the licensing of industrial hemp production have been made public.

The six-week consultation received a huge response. The consultation into the medicinal use of cannabis garnered 3,285 replies.

The hemp consultation received 1,012 responses. Multiple replies and those from outside the island were not counted.

The consultation on the use of medicinal cannabis offered several choice.

These included remaining in line with recently amended UK legislation to rejecting the medicinal use of cannabis completely.

Strongest support (55%) was shown for the option to offer quality-assured medicinal cannabis products direct to the public through accredited dispensaries.

There was also substantial support (36%) for developing a framework similar to that in the Netherlands, which gives medical professionals greater leeway in deciding when to prescribe medicinal cannabis.

Sixty-two per cent were also in favour of restricting access to medicinal cannabis to those over 18, except in a small number of clearly defined conditions.

There was strong support (95%) for allowing cannabis to be cultivated and processed in the island, subject to suitable regulation.

The majority of respondents (97%) also supported the introduction of a regulatory framework within which industrial hemp production could be permitted in the Isle of Man.

Farmer Bob Comish, who is hoping to grow industrial hemp, told the Examiner: ’This was a dream of mine and I never believed we’d get this far.

’For me personally It’s overwhelming. It’s better than winning the lottery.’

Bob paid tribute to Dr Alex Allinson, the MHK for Ramsey, for his support and spoke of the potential economic benefits for farmers because of the versatility of industrial hemp.

He said: ’It has so many possibilities. You can even make hemp plastic and it’s biodegradable.

’There is so much you can do with it.

’Now we’re getting very close to being able to do this. If it goes to Tynwald quite soon and is passed, we could be getting this crop going next year.’

David Ashford MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care, said: ’The response to this has been overwhelming. In fact, it’s amongst the highest number of responses we have ever had since the government set up the consultation hub more than two years ago.

’It’s clear that there is an appetite for a thoughtful approach to changes to regulation concerning both medicinal cannabis and cultivation of industrial hemp.

’The responses have been mature, considered and balanced and it is now up to me, the department and my political colleagues to consider our next steps.

’I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to complete the questionnaire, and to give us so much additional feedback.’