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The proposed regulation of cannabis: A Pembrokeshire perspective

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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.

Illegal grow: 400 plants were found in July 2024 in Charles Street, Milford Haven (Pic: Herald)

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.

Cannabis grows often use dangerous electricity hook ups (Image: File)

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.

Police found a cannabis farm in a former school in Llandysul in July 2024 (Pic: DPP)

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.

Health

Urgent action needed over eye care waiting lists

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SENEDD Member Paul Davies has called for urgent action over statistics which show that 63.3% of patient pathways assessed as being at highest risk of irreversible harm are waiting beyond their target date for treatment in the Hywel Dada University Health Board area. The latest figures from the Welsh Government show that 11,295 patients in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are at the highest risk of irreversible harm because of waiting beyond their target date for treatment.

Mr Davies said, “These statistics are extremely alarming and behind them are thousands of people living in west Wales at risk of irreversible sight loss because they are waiting too long for their appointments. Not only are many of these patients in pain and discomfort, but some have also lost jobs because of their deteriorating eyesight.  

“We need action as a matter of urgency and I urge the Welsh Government to endorse the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology and prioritise its implementation. Eye care services are still under huge pressures, its infrastructure requires significant investment and there are serious recruitment and retention issues. Therefore, it’s vital that this is prioritised immediately – as each month that passes without a commitment to improve eye care will result in more and more people being added to waiting lists.”

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Five rescues in just six days for busy Angle RNLI crew

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THE ANGLE RNLI lifeboat was called into action five times over the course of six days, responding to various emergencies both on land and at sea. The series of shouts began on Thursday, 26th September and continued until 1st October.

Dog rescue at West Angle Beach

At 12:17pm on Thursday, 26th September, the lifeboat was requested to launch following a 999 call reporting a dog had fallen over a cliff at West Angle Beach, opposite Thorn Island. The lifeboat quickly made the short journey to the scene and found the dog at the base of the cliff, distressed but otherwise unharmed.

The crew deployed their inflatable Y-boat, and a crew member went ashore to recover the animal. The dog was transferred to the All-Weather Lifeboat and taken to East Angle Bay, where the Y-boat landed it safely ashore into the care of Coastguard Rescue Officers from St Govan’s and Tenby, as well as the relieved owners. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat returned to its berth and was readied for further service by 2:30pm.

Cancelled launch for surfer in difficulty

The following day, Friday 27th September, at 2:39pm, the lifeboat was once again requested to launch following multiple 999 calls reporting a surfer in difficulty at Freshwater West Beach. However, as the crew were preparing to launch, the surfer managed to self-recover to shore, and the launch was subsequently cancelled. The St Govan’s Coastguard Rescue Team was also dispatched to assist during this incident.

Yacht in trouble at Jack Sound

The lifeboat was next paged on Saturday, 28th September, at 3:48pm to assist a 37-foot yacht experiencing difficulties in Jack Sound due to a fuel-related issue. The crew located the yacht just off Gateholm Island, swiftly established a tow, and brought the yacht to Milford Docks. Once off the lock entrance, the yacht regained sufficient power to moor alongside the lock pits, under the lifeboat’s escort. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat stood down and returned to the jetty, ready for further service by 6:15pm.

Machinery failure off South Hook LNG Terminal

The following afternoon, at 12:48pm on Sunday, 29th September, the crew were tasked to assist a 25-foot power vessel suffering from machinery failure and adverse weather conditions near the South Hook LNG Terminal. The Milford Haven Harbour Patrol vessel and the port authority pilot vessel ‘Skomer’ were already on the scene, but due to worsening weather and the vessel’s proximity to the terminal, the lifeboat was requested.

Facing force 8 easterly winds averaging 45 knots, the lifeboat arrived at the scene where the Harbour Patrol was struggling to make headway while towing the vessel. The lifeboat then took over the tow and, with few safe havens available due to the weather, set a course for Hobbs Point. After about an hour, the vessel was safely left alongside the pontoon at Hobbs Point. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to its jetty, ready for service by 4:00pm.

Medical evacuation from warship

The final call came this morning, at 8:05am on 1st October, when the lifeboat was requested to carry out a medical evacuation from a warship just off St Ann’s Head. The casualty, a 20-year-old female, was suffering from appendicitis and required hospital treatment.

The lifeboat launched and quickly located the warship near the port entrance. The crew successfully conducted an underway transfer of the casualty and her colleague via a pilot ladder. They were transported back to the Port Authority Jetty, where an ambulance was waiting to take the patient to hospital. With the casualty in the care of paramedics, the lifeboat stood down and was ready for service again by 10:00am.

The crew and commanding officer of HMS Somerset, the warship involved in the medical evacuation, expressed their gratitude by gifting the RNLI with the ship’s crest in thanks for the assistance.

The dedication and skill of the Angle RNLI crew during this busy period have once again highlighted the crucial role they play in ensuring safety at sea and along the coast.

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Crime

Harassment and criminal damage case adjourned

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RICHARD WAKELY, 45, of Castle Street, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching a restraining order by entering the home of the victim on 8th September 2024 in Pembroke. Wakely had previously indicated a guilty plea and was remanded on conditional bail. His case was adjourned to 7th October 2024 for sentencing.

Wakely also faced a separate charge of criminal damage to a police vehicle on the same date. He was granted conditional bail, including prohibitions on contacting the victim and exclusion from specified premises.

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