Legalising cannabis could save UK £1 billion worth of tax - News - Mixmag
News

Legalising cannabis could save UK £1 billion worth of tax

The Liberal Democrats are pushing for a change in UK drug policy

  • Dave Turner
  • 8 March 2016

The Liberal Democrats have continued their push for cannabis legislation by claiming it could raise up to £1 billion in taxes.

Party leader Tim Farron recently came out in support of it being sold legally in specialist shops and a new report highlights the benefits it could have, including decreasing health risks of users.

To be discussed at a Lib Dem conference on Friday, the report also stated that, if legally on-sale for recreational use, the drug should retail at a similar price to "black market" costs, accompanied by health warnings on the packaging.

Highlighting the risk of dealers encouraging people "to try other more risky drugs", the party's health spokesman, Norman Lamb, said: "The UK is spending billions fighting a losing battle on drug use. Both the financial and human cost is vast. This desperately needs to change.

"It is often suggested that attempts to move away from total prohibition of drugs sends the message that these substances are harmless.

"To the contrary, I believe we need to regulate drugs precisely because of the harms they pose. Nothing is made safer when it is left in the hands of criminals."

Colorado's policy on cannabis is said to be mentioned in the report which was put together by scientists, academics and police chiefs.

Former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is a firm believer that the war on drugs has been lost, while Labour MP Paul Flynn also wants cannabis to be decriminalised.

[Via: Sky News]

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter

Load the next article
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading...
Loading...
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.