Tynwald has given the go-ahead for the job of regulating the proposed medicinal cannabis export industry to be handed to the Gambling Supervision Commission.

Rules for the regime were given the green light after it was decided the Gambling Supervision Commission would be the ideal interim body, rather than the Department of Health and Social Care.

However, medicinal products issued by pharmacists here are still likely to remain under the remit of the DHSC.

Health Minister David Ashford sought permission to transfer some of his department’s functions under the Misuse of Drugs Act to the GSC.

’The controlled drugs in question are cannabinoid, cannabinoid derivatives and cannabis resin,’ he said.

’However, the transferred functions insofar as they relate to cannabis-based products for additional use in humans may only be exercised by the Gambling Supervision Commission with the consent of the DHSC and the DHSC will retain functions relating to those products.’

The Department for Enterprise is spearheading moves to create a £3m export industry. The government has been criticised for dragging its feet on changing the laws on cannabis use in the island itself.

In normal circumstances it is illegal for someone to import or export or supply any controlled drug and against the law to cultivate a cannabis plant.

But the law allows a person to do those things if they have a licence issued by the government.

The GSC will take on responsibility for issuing licences and drawing up regulations.

Earlier this year Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly signalled the government’s intent to push ahead with the medicinal cannabis export industry with the aim of making it self-funding via licence fees.

But the government has admitted rule changes for use in the island itself are further down the line.

The DHSC is consulting with GPs on the possible prescription of medicinal cannabis.