United Kingdom: legalizing cannabis to protect young people

Volteface has just been released its latest report, The conclusion is clear: to protect the mental health of British youth, the UK should legalize cannabis.

The comprehensive report takes the current British situation as its starting point. Cannabis bought on the street is often very high in THC and without CBD. Of 50 samples purchased in Manchester, THC levels ranged from 15 to 20%, with negligible CBD titrations.

At the same time, mental health facilities are accepting more and more patients whose cannabis use has become problematic, and arrests for simple possession or cultivation of cannabis have halved in 10 years.

Young Britons also find it easier to buy cannabis than cigarettes or alcohol. For Volteface, who is a regular on the subject, Leaving cannabis policy out of control and entirely in the hands of criminals is no longer an option.

The authors of the report call on the UK government to create a legal and finely regulated cannabis market to control the potential negative effects of cannabis.

For Steve Moore, director of Volteface, «we need an open and honest dialogue about the harm of cannabis bought on the street, and the way the government is approaching this issue is making it worse. We can't turn our backs on this or procrastinate any longer.»

«We need to send a very clear public health message and tell society that the use of cannabis with a high THC content is deeply problematic for many people. Regulation addresses this at all levels and is the only sensible way to respond to this problem».