'Difficult to see' how growing medicinal cannabis is consistent with Island's climate change obligations

Climate Change Transformation Board chair responds to written Tynwald question

It's 'difficult to see' how cultivation of medicinal cannabis on the Isle of Man can be balanced against government's climate goals.

That's from chair of the Climate Change Transformation Board, Clare Barber, who's been responding to a written Tynwald question.

Plans to grow medicinal cannabis here have been in the works for a few years now as part of government's attempts to diversify the economy.

A number of planning applications have been made - including Grow Lab Organics, which was the first company to be offered a conditional licence for export here and hopes to build its production site and headquarters near Ronaldsway.

That is due to be put before planning next week and has been recommended for approval.

At the start of the current administration, government committed to reaching net zero by 2050, which included a 35% reduction by 2030 and a 45% one by 2035.

Mrs Barber, who's also the Minister of Environment, Food and Agriculture, says she's 'very mindful' of the power system, emissions and environmental implications of potential cannabis development in the Isle of Man.

In the written response to Rushen MHK Juan Watterson's question, she says new energy intrusive industries have an impact on the Island's emissions as they can increase the amount of power consumed.

This is said to be a challenge while our electricity supply is dependent on fossil fuels as emissions could rise significantly.

She says, as the cannabis industry is typically very energy and water intensive, in that form it's difficult to see how it can be balanced against our climate goals.

However, Mrs Barber believes it may be possible for alternative approaches, like using renewable electricity, to be developed to sustainably meet their own energy and water needs without negatively impacting the environment.

She adds it's important for the developing cannabis industry to consider a low emission, sustainable solution which would help protect the Island's climate goals.