UK: the war on cannabis «is completely and irreversibly lost».»

For former Tory leader William Hague, speaking today in the Daily Telegraph, The war on cannabis in the UK is definitely lost. Lord Hague calls for «categorical change» to cannabis law.

The former Foreign Secretary's remarks put a little more pressure on Theresa May in a context where the UK's cannabis policy is widely criticized.

Billy Caldwell, 12 years old and epileptic, is currently in the spotlight. after being confiscated then rendered for 20 days his cannabis treatment at Heathrow airport.

Health Minister Jeremy Hunt suggested that a «different path» be found after this story that could have cost Billy Caldwell his life.

Lord Hague said Billy Caldwell's case showed that current policies «are proving to be inappropriate, ineffective and completely outdated.»

For him, the decision to return the drug to the 12-year-old boy means that the Home Office is «implicitly acknowledging that the law has become indefensible.»

«The question now is whether Britain should join the many other countries that allow cannabis for medical use, or even, join Canada in preparing for a regulated and legal market for recreational cannabis.»

He continues: «It's time to recognize the facts and accept a decisive change that would be economically and socially beneficial, as well as being a kind of liberation for Conservatives who would show that new, sensible ideas are welcome. First of all, when it comes to marijuana, or cannabis, any war is completely and irreversibly lost.»

Urging the Prime Minister to be «bold», he adds, «And while I don't advocate recreational drug use, I think it's right that people of all persuasions should now focus on a failed policy and an unsustainable law, to replace both with new ideas that might just create respect and success.»