Will the UK legalise cannabis?

Cannabis can now be bought legally in two US states, as well as in Uruguay and Spain. Colorado and Washington have legalised cannabis in the US, and more states have decriminalised it and allow it to be used for medicinal purposes.

Change is slow but the trend continues: more governments are open to the idea of making cannabis legal. It was really only when the United States started to relax its laws that the rest of the world started to take notice; however, health scientists are still concerned that this change will lead to serious problems in the future.

Recently the world’s experts met in Amsterdam, where cannabis has been tolerated for many years, to discuss cannabis regulation. Professor Robin Room of the charity Turning Point said: “The dynamic in the United States looks unstoppable. Even if a Republican were elected to replace Obama, they would think twice before cracking down on it all. What would they gain from it? The Republicans realise they are in a box, appealing only to elderly white men.”

The Netherlands has adopted a tolerance policy, which allows the possession of up to five grams of cannabis for personal use. It also allows a person to cultivate up to five plants.

Spain has allowed ‘cannabis social clubs’, where people can meet to share cannabis for personal use. The UK has also seen some social clubs appear.

The biggest argument for legalisation is that prohibition makes the health problems of cannabis worse; people are less likely to seek help for their addiction. Gangs also control the price and sell impure cannabis, which may cause other health problems.

The UK has some of the toughest laws on the possession and use of cannabis; however, if the US can make the change from prohibition to decriminalisation and legalisation, people will soon be asking why it cannot be the same here.