London Mayor Advocates Cannabis Decriminalization Following New Report

London, England — A report endorsed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan recommends decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. The findings, released by the London Drugs Commission, call for significant changes to current cannabis laws, which many deem ineffective and disproportionate.

The commission, chaired by former Labour minister Lord Falconer, issued 42 recommendations. One major suggestion is removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act, where it is classified as a Class B drug, alongside substances like ketamine.

Lord Falconer explained on BBC Radio Four that the existing laws create unnecessary tension between police and ethnic communities, especially among young Black men who are disproportionately impacted by stop-and-search practices targeting cannabis.

While Khan has long advocated for a fresh approach to drug policy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner asserted that the government would not adopt the commission’s recommendations, indicating a lack of policy change regarding cannabis.

The report highlights that the current law is not only ineffective but also unfairly punishes individuals for possessing small amounts of cannabis. Falconer stated that retaining possession as a criminal act leads to “extreme consequences” for users.

In response, Sir Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, reiterated that any changes to drug laws would need to be determined by Parliament, adding that drug dealing often leads to community violence and public safety issues.

The commission’s findings indicate a need for better education and healthcare related to drug use, as well as a fairer policing strategy regarding cannabis. Janet Hills, deputy chair of the commission, emphasized that their proposal would foster a more compassionate and equitable framework for cannabis enforcement.

Despite the report’s mixed signals about legalization, it definitively argues against full legal commercial sales at this time. However, advocates believe that decriminalizing small amounts could alleviate some of the societal issues tied to current punitive measures.

For the moment, the Home Office maintains that cannabis will remain classified as a Class B drug, reassuring that police efforts will continue under current laws. As the debate unfolds, discussions about cannabis policy reform in Britain appear far from resolution.