London mayor Sadiq Khan has backed requires the possession of small portions of pure hashish to be decriminalised.
Sir Sadiq mentioned a brand new report, printed by the impartial London Medicine Fee (LDC) right this moment, supplies “a compelling, evidence-based case” for the federal government to think about the transfer.
Beneath present legal guidelines, hashish is a Class B drug and folks present in possession face a positive or imprisonment.
The LDC, arrange by the mayor in 2022 and chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Charlie Falconer, has mentioned the present legal guidelines on hashish are “disproportionate to the harms it can pose”.
Its examine examined how the drug is policed world wide – and in addition discovered hashish policing “continues to focus on particular ethnic communities,” damaging their relations with legislation enforcement.
The fee stops wanting calling for full decriminalisation and as an alternative says “natural” hashish must be moved from the Misuse of Medicine Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act.
Picture:
Sadiq Khan strolling by means of hashish crops at a licensed manufacturing facility in Los Angeles in 2022. File pic: PA
This is able to successfully legalise the possession of small quantities for private use whereas persevering with to ban importing, manufacturing or distributing the drug.
The LDC can be calling for improved habit companies and higher schooling on the risks of hashish for younger individuals.
Sir Sadiq mentioned: “I’ve long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities.”
The report “makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis which the government should consider,” he added.
“It says that the current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people’s experience of the justice system.
“We should recognise that higher schooling, improved healthcare and simpler, equitable policing of hashish use are lengthy overdue.”
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Lord Falconer mentioned: “Legalisation is not the answer. The criminal justice system response needs to focus only on the dealers and not the users.
“Those that endure from the opposed results of hashish – which can be a small share of customers however it’s a excessive variety of individuals – want dependable, constant medical and different assist. And there must be rather more schooling on the dangers of hashish use.”
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Authorities and Tories reply
A House Workplace spokesperson mentioned the federal government “has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance”.
“We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer,” they added.
The Conservatives have rubbished Sir Sadiq’s suggestion, with shadow house secretary Chris Philp saying: “Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severed mental health problems.
“US and Canadian cities which tried this strategy have ended up as crime-ridden ghettos with stupefied addicts on the streets and law-abiding residents frightened to go there.”
