A report supported by the Mayor of London advocates for the decriminalization of possessing small amounts of cannabis for personal use.

The London Drugs Commission’s report, led by former Labour cabinet minister Lord Falconer, offers 42 recommendations, one of which involves removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).

Mayor Sadiq Khan remarked that the existing regulations “cannot be justified,” highlighting that the commission’s report lends “a compelling, evidence-based argument” for decriminalizing cannabis.

David Raynes from the National Prevention of Drugs Alliance (NPDA) expressed concern that easing legal repercussions around cannabis could improperly suggest that “cannabis is less harmful.”

Lord Falconer emphasized that while “legalization is not the solution,” the focus of the criminal justice system should be “on dealers rather than users.”

The report covers several domains, including education, healthcare, and the enforcement of cannabis laws.

Among its proposals, the report suggests that natural cannabis be removed from the MDA, where it is classified as Class B alongside substances like ketamine, and instead be regulated under the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA).

The findings of the report state: “The potential for a custodial sentence of any length, especially the maximum of five years for possession of cannabis for personal use, seems excessive.”

Although it’s acknowledged that sentences approaching five years are exceedingly rare, the report’s authors highlight the significant implications of imprisonment.

The report notes that cannabis possession is often discovered through stop and search practices, which “continue to be applied in a racially biased manner.”

The report’s authors propose eliminating suspicion of cannabis possession as a valid reason for police searches.

They further argue that even in cases where individuals possess amounts deemed beyond personal use, the current legal repercussions “seem disproportionate relative to the actual risks associated with cannabis.”

Regulating cannabis under the PSA would, according to the authors, decrease exposure to stop and search encounters, address “racial disproportionality,” and create legal ramifications “more aligned with the risks involved.”

They assert that decriminalizing cannabis would lessen the burden on individuals using it for medicinal reasons without access to legal prescriptions.

Janet Hills, the deputy chair of the commission and a former detective sergeant, stated it is crucial to “reassess our approach to cannabis law enforcement.”

She believes the recommendations would lead to “a more fair and just system.”

Additional proposals from the report include:

Lord Falconer commented: “Individuals affected by the negative consequences of cannabis—while a minority of users, still a considerable number of people—require dependable, consistent medical and other forms of assistance. Additionally, there is a pressing need for enhanced education regarding the risks of cannabis consumption.”

Mr. Raynes, who has long opposed any softening of the UK’s drug laws, accused the report’s authors of trying to “gently adjust the legislation.”

“The true concern is that we may be conveying to London’s youth the notion that cannabis poses less danger,” he warned.

When asked about the report’s assertion that cannabis use remains prevalent despite existing legal ramifications, Mr. Raynes remarked that the focus should be on “mitigating the harm caused by illicit substances.”

He characterized the London Drugs Commission, established by Sir Sadiq in 2022, as “a significant act of self-indulgence by the mayor,” operating in a domain where he lacks jurisdiction.

In response to the report, Mayor Khan stated: “I have consistently asserted that we require innovative solutions to diminish the considerable harm linked to drug-related crime within our neighborhoods.”

He added: “We must acknowledge that improved education, healthcare, and fairer policing of cannabis use are urgently needed.”

The Home Office has been approached for a response to the findings of the report.

In March, Dame Diana Johnson, a minister at the department, indicated that the government “has no intentions” of legalizing cannabis, though she did not address the question of decriminalization.

In a 2023 interview as the opposition leader, Sir Keir Starmer remarked that drug policy in the UK was “settled.”

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