Survey indicates nearly half of the UK population supports cannabis legalisation

A new survey conducted by polling company ORB has suggested close to half of the UK population is in favour of cannabis legalisation.

2,000 people were posed the question, with 47 per cent expressing agreement that cannabis should be legalised for sale through licensed shops. 39 per cent oppose the move, while 14 per cent are undecided on the matter.

Males are more likely to support legalisation, with 53 per cent of men in favour compared to 41 per cent of women.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron and Labour MP Paul Flynn have both come out in support of legalisation, with the latter making the case that the move would save £900 million a year in tax.

Despite a report claiming that the ‘war on drugs’ has “harmed public health”, Prime Minister David Cameron and head of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn have not discussed legal regulation.

The Transform Drug Policy Foundation’s head of external affairs Danny Kushlick said: "Unless and until [Cameron and Corbyn] show leadership on the issue, the drugs trade will remain in the hands of organised criminals and unregulated dealers."

Former Liberal Democrat health minister Norman Lamb, who proposed a Bill to legalise cannabis, said: "A regulated market in the UK will take profits out of the hands of organised crime and reduce both health and social harms."

[Via: Evening Standard]

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter