London Mayor Advocates for Decriminalization of Cannabis Possession

LOS ANGELES- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has endorsed recommendations from the London Drugs Commission (LDC) to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of natural cannabis for personal use. The LDC, established by Khan in 2022 and chaired by former Justice Secretary Lord Charlie Falconer KC, conducted a comprehensive study involving over 200 experts and academics. Their report concluded that current cannabis laws are disproportionate and contribute to strained relations between police and ethnic communities due to biased enforcement.

The commission recommends reclassifying natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act, effectively decriminalizing possession for personal use while maintaining the illegality of importing, manufacturing, or distributing the drug. Synthetic cannabis would remain under stricter controls.

Mayor Khan emphasized the need for a refreshed approach to addressing drug-related harm, advocating for better education, healthcare, and fairer policing practices. He described the report’s findings as compelling and urged the government to consider the recommendations.

However, the UK government has reiterated its stance on maintaining cannabis as a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A Home Office spokesperson stated that there are no plans to reclassify cannabis and emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce drug use and enhance community safety.

The LDC’s report also highlights the need for improved cannabis education and better support for individuals facing addiction. It suggests that policing should focus on dealers rather than users and calls for the removal of the smell of cannabis as a sole reason for police searches.