Plans to grow Australia's first commercial crop of medical cannabis at Christmas Island have met resistance from some locals, who fear that islanders won't see the financial benefits and drugs may end up in the hands of local youths.

The cannabis proposal is the latest of a series of developments that have raised the ire of Christmas Island residents, who say the controversial detention centre damages efforts to grow the island's tourism industry and a reduction in the frequency of government-contracted planes means mail is frequently delayed.

Medical marijuana plan "needs to be approved by the community": Christmas Island shire president Gordon Thomson. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Australian firm AusCann announced last month it will plant trial medical cannabis crops on Christmas Island, 2600 kilometres northwest of Perth.

Subject to changes in federal law and the success of the pilot, the company intends to plant the first commercial crop for the domestic market in late 2016, and is confident of winning support from locals.