CANNABIS cultivation and its regulation have become pressing issues in Pembrokeshire and the wider UK. With recent raids in West Wales revealing a thriving illegal cannabis industry, some argue that legalisation might be the way forward. CLEAR, the UK’s longest-established cannabis reform group, has put forward a comprehensive plan to regulate the market, which could address many of the challenges faced by communities such as ours.

The problem of illegal cannabis farms is not just a distant concern; it is very much a reality in West Wales. Recent police raids across Pembrokeshire have uncovered extensive cannabis grows. In Neyland, an industrial unit was raided in August, uncovering a substantial cultivation operation, and two men were arrested. In a separate incident in November, another significant grow in Neyland led to charges of cannabis production and electricity theft. Milford Haven’s Charles Street was also the scene of a major bust in July, with police removing nearly 400 plants from a disused bar.

Just weeks ago, police conducted a raid on High Street in Haverfordwest, but the illegal operation had already been abandoned by the time officers arrived, leaving behind their equipment. No arrests were made, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.

Despite these high-profile raids, it is widely believed that many more cannabis farms remain undiscovered in the area. These operations often steal electricity, posing fire hazards, and exploit foreign workers, such as Vietnamese or Bulgarian immigrants, who are forced to live on-site to care for the plants and provide security due to the high value of the crops.

The ongoing raids in Pembrokeshire highlight the dangers of the current prohibition approach. The illicit cannabis market continues to flourish, bringing with it a range of associated problems: from organised crime and unregulated products to the exploitation of vulnerable workers. This mirrors the situation across the UK, where CLEAR estimates that between 1.5 and 2.7 million people consume cannabis monthly, with an illicit market valued at up to £8.8 billion annually.

CLEAR’s detailed plan proposes that regulation, including legalising cannabis with a tax of £1 per gram, could deliver a net gain to the UK Treasury of up to £9.5 billion per year. This money could fund public services, create new jobs, and undercut organised crime. Experiences from countries and regions where cannabis has been legalised show that regulation can reduce underage use and eliminate the conditions that exploit workers.

The heart of CLEAR’s proposal is the creation of a Cannabis Inspectorate, a government agency tasked with overseeing the entire cannabis market. This inspectorate would be responsible for:

1. Licensing: Issuing licenses for commercial cultivation, importation, wholesale distribution, and retail sales, ensuring a controlled and safe market. Previous non-violent cannabis convictions would not disqualify applicants, allowing for a fresh start for those affected by past laws.
2. Quality Control: Conducting scientific analysis of cannabis to ensure products meet safety and cannabinoid content standards, preventing contamination and regulating new products like edibles, beverages, and concentrates.
3. Enforcement: Implementing penalties for regulatory breaches, with severe penalties for supplying to minors, ensuring that cannabis products are sold responsibly.

CLEAR’s plan stresses that doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis for medical purposes. Currently, medical cannabis products are regulated but are often expensive and accessible only through private healthcare. CLEAR advocates expanding prescription rights to General Practitioners (GPs) and having the Cannabis Inspectorate oversee Cannabis-based Products for Medical Use (CBPMs). This would simplify the process and make medical cannabis more accessible, addressing the current system’s flaws and overly strict regulations.

CLEAR proposes a retail model similar to those for alcohol and tobacco, where only licensed and “fit and proper” individuals or companies can sell cannabis. Retail sales would include:

• Age Restrictions: Sales limited to adults, with mandatory ID checks.
• Packaging: All products supplied in childproof packaging with clear labeling on origin, cannabinoid content, and harm reduction information.
• Harm Reduction Information: Retailers would provide health information to promote responsible consumption.

CLEAR recommends a tax rate of £1 per gram for cannabis, providing the government with significant revenue. A careful tax strategy would aim to undercut the illicit market while funding effective regulation, education, and public services. The Canadian model serves as a successful example, where, after six years, over 70% of cannabis purchases are through legal channels.

In Pembrokeshire, recent raids have shown that illicit cannabis operations are often linked to other illegal activities, such as electricity theft and the exploitation of vulnerable, often foreign workers. By legalising and regulating cannabis, Pembrokeshire could see a reduction in these criminal activities. Legitimate businesses would be established under strict guidelines, removing the need for illegal grows and making the industry safer for workers.

Pembrokeshire’s recent cannabis farm discoveries indicate that legalisation could bring the industry into a safer, regulated space. The proposed Cannabis Inspectorate would ensure that only safe, high-quality products are available, and it would oversee commercial and domestic cultivation. Licenses for home cultivation would allow residents to grow up to three plants under artificial lighting and three more under natural light, eliminating the need for dangerous and unregulated grows.

Cannabis Cafés similar to the Dutch coffee shop model could also be introduced, providing safe and social environments for adults to consume cannabis. The introduction of legal outlets would also reduce underage use, as seen in other countries with legal cannabis markets.

The ongoing issues in Pembrokeshire illustrate the flaws of the current prohibition approach. By moving cannabis into a regulated market, CLEAR’s plan aims to reduce health and social harms, protect children, maximise economic benefits, and dismantle a significant revenue stream for organised crime. Legalisation could provide Pembrokeshire, and the UK as a whole, with a way to turn a dangerous illicit trade into a legitimate, safe, and beneficial industry. The conversation in Pembrokeshire must now shift to how the community can best implement a regulated market, ensuring safety, quality, and a fair path forward for all involved in the cannabis trade.