Bid for 'citizens' jury' to consider drug policy

Manx leaders will be asked to set up a panel of lay people to look at modernising drugs policy on the Isle of Man - including future regulation of cannabis.

Alex Allinson MHK will ask Tynwald to back setting up a citizen's jury to look at the policy principles approved by politicians in 2024 aimed at reducing the harm caused by the substances.

During that debate, the home affairs minister said public consultation would be needed to take the principles forward.

However, Allinson said things had not progressed since the November 2024 vote, and a more considered approach was now needed.

That debate followed an independent review on the harms of illegal drugs, carried out on behalf of the Public Heath Directorate by Liverpool John Moores University in 2022.

Principles identified as core areas to work on were improvements to the treatment for drug-users, a change in the approach of dealing with drug offenders, and safeguarding children from exploitation.

Raising awareness to destigmatise drug users was also among the goals.

Allinson said people were "a little bit unsatisfied with just putting it out on the internet and waiting for people to reply to it" and a new approach is needed.

"Simply putting it on the consultation hub is not sufficient when you're dealing with quite significant issues like drug reform," he said.

"You would want to hear the voice of normal people, you'd want to hear the voice of the police, the courts, the medical profession, public health, and also hear the voice of those people who have been affected by drug use on the island."

Allinson is calling for the creation of a citizens' jury to consider the timeline for the rollout the principles approved in 2024 as well "a future regulated environment which would allow for the sale of cannabis for recreational use".

A citizens' jury is a small group of people who are selected to consider public policy on an issue with the ability to take evidence from experts and make recommendations.

The motion was "trying to prod the government into taking the next step, because what we have had is a hiatus since 2024" as a consultation was awaited, he said.

"There have been some minor changes through law enforcement, but we haven't significantly shifted to a harm reduction approach in terms of drug policy, which would need a change in legislation in some respects," he added.

Politicians will debate Allinson's motion at the May sitting of Tynwald.

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