London Mayor Backs Report’s Call for Cannabis Law Reform
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has thrown his support behind a report that recommends decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use. The report, produced by the London Drugs Commission, chaired by former Labour cabinet minister Lord Falconer, makes 42 recommendations aimed at addressing the UK’s cannabis laws.
According to the report, the current laws surrounding cannabis possession are “unjustifiable” and disproportionately affect young black men. The commission argues that removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act would help reduce the number of people caught up in the criminal justice system and alleviate the burden on police resources.
Lord Falconer, the report’s chair, stated that the current law “doesn’t work” and is often used to criminalize people who are using cannabis for medicinal purposes. He added that the law treats cannabis the same as more serious drugs, despite its relatively low risk of harm.
The report also recommends removing the suspicion of cannabis possession as a reason for police officers to initiate a search, which it says is often used in a racially disproportionate way. Additionally, the commission suggests that police officers should focus on addressing the root causes of drug-related crime, rather than simply enforcing the law.
While the report’s recommendations have been welcomed by some, they have been met with resistance from others. David Raynes, of the National Prevention of Drugs Alliance, argued that decriminalizing cannabis would send the wrong message about its harmfulness.
The government has yet to respond to the report’s recommendations, but Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has stated that the government’s position on cannabis remains unchanged.
The report’s findings have been welcomed by the mayor of London, who has long been an advocate for cannabis law reform. Khan stated that the report provides a “compelling, evidence-based case” for decriminalization and that the current laws are “long overdue” for change.
The London Drugs Commission’s report is the latest in a series of efforts to reform the UK’s cannabis laws. In 2022, the mayor established the commission to explore ways to reduce the harm caused by drug-related crime in London. The report’s recommendations are expected to be debated by lawmakers in the coming months.
