A bid to start a Tynwald investigation into the possible legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes may have to be put on hold.

Douglas East MHK Clare Bettison has a motion tabled for next week’s sitting asking for a five-member select committee to be appointed to ‘examine the medical use of cannabis products, the scope for scientific research into these on the Isle of Man and the current classification of cannabis’.

Her motion is set to be supported by Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson, who has stated on a number of occasions his support for legalising cannabis for medical purposes.

However, Ms Bettison revealed that she has been told that she should have raised the matter through the Department of Health and Social Care first and that she will have to withdraw the motion.

Ms Bettison is a member of the DHSC and normal protocol would be for a department member to go through the department in the first instance, although it is understood there are no set rules on such a situation.

She told the Isle of Man Examiner she was exploring options to see if there would be another way of the motion being put before Tynwald this month, instead of having to defer it until June.

Dr Allinson, who was a full-time GP before he was elected last year, has made clear his support for changing the law.

He told the Examiner at the end of last year: ‘Over the past couple of years, I have had more patients confessing to me that they are using cannabis for a range of medical conditions and they were frightened of being arrested.

‘I looked into the medicinal use of cannabis and drug reform, to see fairly convincing arguments that the laws we currently have are outdated.’

He has also suggested permitting the growing of cannabis in the Isle of Man, for medicinal purposes.

Last month, the head of a charity think tank that calls for an ‘end to the drug war’ said the Isle of Man should look at regulating all drugs, rather than keeping them as illegal.

Jane Slater, head of operations at Transform, said it was ‘absolutely right’ the Manx government should investigate its options.

Her organisation had advised other governments that were considering changes to their drug laws and she said it would be prepared to assist the Isle of Man.