Due diligence when approving licences for medicinal cannabis cultivation (FOI)

Request

What due diligence has been carried out by the Director General of the Economy Department as to whether any Ministers and / or civil servants have any financial or pecuniary interest in any of the companies obtaining or applying for licences to cultivate medicinal cannabis in Jersey? 

Response

The Acting Director-General, Economy is not the licensing authority for medicinal cannabis activity and is not responsible for undertaking due diligence on individual businesses. 

States Assembly Members, including Ministers, are required to register and declare their interests and registered interests are available to the public through the States Assembly website. Any failure to disclose interests is likely to constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct for Elected Members and could be the subject of a reference to the Commissioner for Standards for investigation.

In line with the Disciplinary Rules, Civil Servants must fully disclose any external interests, which may potentially be considered to, or potentially could, conflict with the interests of the States and declare any conflict of interest between their work responsibilities and any personal relationships. Specifically, employees involved in the recruitment and selection of staff must declare if there is any relationship with prospective candidates which could influence their decision. Any established breaches will be considered in line with the Disciplinary Policy.