Licences Full Guidance

The High THC Cannabis licence from the Isle of Man GSC permits the cultivation of cannabis plants containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

This licence allows indoor cannabis cultivation only. Male plants are not permitted to be grown. The licence holder can harvest, possess and store cannabis biomass and plant parts obtained from cultivation.

The main products sold or supplied with a High THC Cannabis licence include:

• Cannabis biomass (flowers, leaves, buds etc.)

• Cannabis seedlings and other propagated plant parts

The licence holder can package and sell the above products to other licence holders or overseas markets where permitted. They can also dry, cure and store harvested cannabis biomass.

Key requirements for obtaining this licence include suitable cultivation facilities that meet security and quality standards. Record keeping of the cultivation process is mandatory. The products will also need to meet labelling and potency testing requirements for their target markets.

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a High THC license.

This licence type allows businesses to securely transport and store cannabis and cannabis products across the Isle of Man.

A Transport and Storage Licence permits licensees to possess controlled cannabinoids to provide transportation or warehousing services. Licensees can move goods between facilities on behalf of others or store products in a separate facility.

When transporting goods on public roads, security and documentation protocols must be followed. Storage must occur on the Isle of Man and meet security requirements.

Applicants must demonstrate clear plans for transport vehicles, storage premises, record keeping and product handling. GSC may inspect facilities.

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a Transport and Storage license.

An Import or Export Licence permits licensees to possess controlled cannabinoids for the purpose of importing goods into the Isle of Man or exporting goods outbound. Licensees can transport products internationally and store materials temporarily prior to import/export.

Businesses must demonstrate transportation protocols, including maintaining records.

Separate long-term storage of cannabis materials would require a Transport and Storage Licence, unless storage is within the same licensed facility undergoing import/export activities.

Protocols like complying with international cannabis regulations during transit must be followed. Applicants must provide plans for import/export logistics and supply chain management across jurisdictions.

Application details include describing intended trading partners, transit routes and conforming to other countries' rules. Import/export facilities may be inspected.

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a Import Export license.

This licence type permits businesses to extract cannabinoids from cannabis biomass and manufacture cannabis products.

An Extraction Licence allows licensees possessing cannabis plant material to remove and isolate cannabinoids through various extraction processes using solvent-based or non-solvent methods. 

A Manufacturing Licence is needed if substances other than raw cannabis biomass are used to produce a cannabis-derived product.

Both licence types may require sophisticated machinery, chemicals or other specialised equipment depending on the extraction/manufacturing methods used. Applicants must demonstrate that all facilities and operations will meet the required safety and technical standards.

Licensees can supply or sell extracted preparations and manufactured cannabis goods that have been properly certified, tested and labelled.

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a Manufacturing and Extraction license.

This licence type permits independent laboratories and testing facilities to analyse cannabis and cannabis products containing controlled cannabinoids.

It enables the possession of cannabis materials supplied by third parties specifically for analytical testing. Any samples containing cannabinoids must be securely returned or destroyed following analysis.

Successful applicants must demonstrate suitable laboratory facilities that meet technical and security standards. Procedures for sample receipt, testing, record-keeping and disposal must be outlined.

Once licensed, regular reporting and supervision by the GSC ensure compliant, safe operation. The GSC seeks to facilitate this activity through a regulated framework.

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a Analysis license.

This licence type permits the cultivation of industrial hemp crops containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels of 0.2% or less.

Two licence options exist - With Use or Without Use.

• • Industrial Hemp Without Use – cultivation that results in the destruction of the active parts of the plant (flowers, stems and buds) and can yield a fibre or industrial material crop.

  • Industrial Hemp With Use – cultivation that utilises the active parts of the plant to produce a CBD crop for medicinal use only.

• Application With Use Form - Available on request only

The following information provides detailed guidance on Cannabis Licenses for a Industrial Hemp Licence license.