UK: legalized recreational cannabis within 10 years?

Three British MPs went on a scouting trip to Canada to study the effects of legalizing recreational cannabis. The three MPs felt that the UK would follow Canada's lead and legalize recreational cannabis within the next decade. Their trip was filmé, and is available on iplayer, as part of a Radio 1 Newsbeat documentary series entitled «Legalising weed: Canada's story». Canada became the first G7 country to authorize recreational use of the substance in October 2018.

One of the three politicians, Labour's David Lammy, changed his mind during their trip, as he is now in favor of legalization, against his party's official position. «I want the market to be legalized, regulated and kept away from criminal gangs,» said Tottenham MP David Lammy on his return from Toronto. «I want THC levels reduced, and products labeled and properly organized in this country. Young people should not be arrested for consumption, but rather properly educated.».

At present, cannabis is classified as a Class B drug in the UK, and anyone found in possession of it is liable to five years' imprisonment. Public opinion has been familiarized with the subject, however, since medical cannabis was legalized last year. Last week, the first prescription for medical cannabis was issued in the UK. prescribed in Scotland for a child with epilepsy, paving the way for wider use of the substance.

The Liberal Democratic Party already officially supports the legalization of cannabis in the UK.

But the MPs also realize that Canada's experience has not been without its problems. In fact, around half the cannabis purchased in Canada always comes from illegal sources, mainly due to prohibitive prices for legal cannabis.

The British, however, seem to be in favor. A survey in early July revealed that 47% of them would be in favor of legalization, as would 63% of Londoners. However, a proposed law aimed at regulating cannabis had been aborted in Parliament in December 2018.