London Mayor Sadiq Khan backs calls for partial decriminalisation of cannabis
A new report from the Mayor-backed London Drugs Commission suggests current laws result in "disproportionate" punishments for users
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has backed calls to partially decriminalise the possession of cannabis following a new report from the London Drugs Commission (LDC).
The report, released today (May 28) and supported by Khan, makes 42 recommendations on the education, healthcare, and policing of cannabis for the national government to consider.
It suggests that the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use should be decriminalised, though it makes clear that the Commission “does not call for the legalisation of cannabis” completely.
Read this next: London Mayor Sadiq Khan granted powers to overrule councils rejecting nightlife licenses
The report recommends that “natural cannabis” be moved from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act, meaning it would remain illegal to import, manufacture, and distribute, but it would no longer be a criminal offence to possess a small amount of cannabis for personal use.
Cannabis is currently a Class B drug under UK law, meaning those found in possession face fines or imprisonment. LDC chairman, former Labour cabinet minister Lord Falconer, said that current laws “do no work” and are "disproportionate".
Speaking on the report, Sadiq Khan explained: “I’ve long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities," (via The Independent).
Read this next: Sadiq Khan launches London's first-ever "Nightlife Taskforce"
“The London Drugs Commission report makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis which the Government should consider,” he added.
According to the LDC, the report is the most “wide-ranging” and “detailed” study of cannabis use in recent history, looking at a large amount of research and evidence from both the UK and elsewhere around the world.
The report looks at evidence from more than 200 experts and academics from all over the world, as well as experts in criminal justice, public health, and drug policies.
Read the full report here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter