Should Cannabis be Legalised in the UK? The Benefits and Drawbacks.

Just fucking legalise it already please, I’m begging. Now that’s out of the way, let’s begin a more level-headed exploration of the pros and cons surrounding the legalisation of the most commonly used drug not just in Britain, but the world. Since we’ve investigated the history and current status of British cannabis culture in our previous blogs, today we can delve into a more complex debate. Here is @thehigheststreet’s breakdown of whether cannabis should be legalised in the UK.

I will try my absolute best to remain unbiased, whilst being completely aware of the inherent impossibility of exercising true fairness, due to the simple fact that I am currently smoking a joint whilst writing this for a Smoke-shop blog. But you already knew that. Now, allow me to briefly introduce some statistics surrounding wider global cannabis use, to set the scene for our debate.

 

“About 147 million people, 2.5% of the world population, consume cannabis (annual prevalence) compared with 0.2% consuming cocaine and 0.2% consuming opiates” (World Health Organization, 2024).

 

Other studies put the worldwide consumption figure at around 4.9%. In reality, it is almost impossible to tell what the true statistics are. To put the difficulty of estimating worldwide cannabis use into perspective, just think about this… Weed is grown and smoked in the hermit nation of North Korea, in the mountainous regions of Myanmar, Chui Valley of Kazakhstan, during holy festivals in India and by the Bedouin communities of Egypt. Incidentally, we may explore cannabis use in these regions in a later blog. Nevertheless, it is impossible to figure out the true global consumption figures because cannabis use is so geographically and demographically diverse.

However, one thing is crystal clear – global cannabis use is on the rise, propelled by legalisation and decriminalisation efforts, thriving cannabis-based industries and changing attitudes and perceptions of harm. Despite its classification as a Class B drug in the UK, cannabis use in British society has also been steadily rising. Studies have found that most British teenagers do not even consider weed to be a ‘drug’ in the traditional sense. Furthermore, medical cannabis has been legal since 2018.

Today, cannabis legalisation is undoubtedly a hot topic of conversation amongst British public discourse. Just a few days ago, London mayor Sadiq Khan’s called for partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession, arguing that ‘making cannabis a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act is disproportionate to the harms it can pose relative to other drugs controlled by the act’ (Rawlinson, 2025). The public debate in the UK will undoubtedly continue, so long as British people continue to use cannabis at higher rates than some countries that have legalised it for recreational use, and so long as studies continue to disprove the worthiness of the racially rooted prohibition of cannabis. Moreover, the UK is ‘the world's biggest producer and exporter of legal cannabis for medical and scientific purposes’ (House of Commons Library, 2023). This seems an appropriate time to note that I am still trying my best to remain impartial, but it is becoming increasingly difficult the more I research.

Moving onwards, whilst keeping in mind that we are the world’s biggest medical cannabis producer and exporters, let’s discuss the general public’s conversation, then the benefits of legalisation.

Okay the public discourse and the benefits. Where do I begin? Mountains of academic studies, parliamentary reports and testimonies from lawmakers, law enforcement, medical professionals and advocates support the reform of cannabis legalisation in the UK. We now have years of case studies to rely on from other countries. The Netherlands, Spain, USA, Germany, Uruguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Czech Republic, Chile, Malta – the list goes on. Our international counterparts are leaving us behind. The issue with the liberalisation of cannabis laws in the UK, lies with the deeply embedded nature of political conservatism within British politics. Politically speaking and simply put, the average Brit likes a ‘tough-on-crime approach’ and does not like change.

As the public debate rages on, political conservatism inhibits any change from happening whilst reinforcing electoral caution, as parties do not want to lose precious votes, particularly from rural or older voters who are the most sceptical about legalisation. Parties are also reluctant to acknowledge the growing demand for medical cannabis, as access still remains very limited and costly. Despite this underlying cultural and political conservatism, things are very slowly changing. The piling list of the positive impacts of cannabis legalisation can no longer be ignored.

Let’s start with the economic benefits. Legal cannabis industries employ tens of thousands of people, whilst generating significant tax revenues. An independent, UK-based charity found that legalisation could create 15,500 full-time jobs across cannabis cultivation, manufacture and retail services, alongside annual net benefits to the Treasury of up to £1.5 billion, and the capture of 80% of the current illegal black market within five years (TRANSFORM, 2025). It is evident that the legalisation of cannabis would be a net positive for the UK’s economy. There would be an explosion of cannabis-focused entrepreneurship. Smoke-shops like us would thrive. Prison, Police and judicial resources would immediately be freed up for better use elsewhere. Which leads me onto the wider societal impacts.

If you’re a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) person in Britain, you are 4.1 more times likely to get stopped and searched than a White person. A report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) states that:

 

‘The [most common] rationale for a stop and search is suspected drug possession, but the rate at which drugs are found during these searches is low', and that... ‘Whilst a legitimate concern, drug possession is not a main strategic focus for forces. Stop and search does little to combat drug supply. The reality is often that the use of stop and search falls short of law enforcement’s objectives to reduce crime, instead eroding public trust and reducing the likelihood that members of the public will assist the police or report a crime in the future’ (HMICFRS, 2021)

 

Then there’s the issue of knife crime and ‘county lines’ networks. County lines gangs often exploit vulnerable children to transport and sell cannabis and other drugs in towns across the UK. Additionally, knife crime connected to turf wars over drug territory, debts and gang rivalries has become prevalent, with an 87% increase in Police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp object in the last 10 years (ONS, 2025). The legalisation of cannabis alone would not eliminate systemic issues like school exclusions, poverty and social inequality, but if paired correctly with sound social support, youth services and policing strategies, it would immediately sever a major income stream for criminal organisations, protect children from exploitation and reduce knife-crime. It would also free up valuable police time and resources, prison spaces, sentencing times, whilst eliminating the profitability of selling inorganic, unregulated, unhealthy or ‘sprayed’ cannabis. Spice would barely be a thing. British stoners, of which there are many, would no longer have to live in a constant state of paranoia. A relaxing of legislation would loosen the bureaucratic ‘red tape’ surrounding scientific cannabis research in the UK, meaning academic research would be easier to finance and conduct.

To summarise, legalising cannabis in the UK offers several key benefits. It would significantly undermine the illegal drug market, weaken county lines networks and reduce gang-related knife crime. By regulating cannabis, the government could ensure product safety, reducing health risks. Legalisation would also protect young people from being exploited as drug mules and prevent the criminalisation of users for minor possession. Economically, it could generate substantial tax revenue and create jobs within a regulated industry. Police resources would be freed up to focus on more serious crimes, while patients could benefit from improved access to cannabis-based medical treatments.

Now for the downsides. For us stoners, there aren’t any. Legalisation would truly be a life-changing net positive for British stoners, but in the pursuit of fairness, we will explore what the other side thinks regardless.

The strongest argument against legalisation surrounds the health risks. With legalisation, may come the potential for an increase in cases of cannabis-induced psychosis, schizophrenia or respiratory diseases. However, I’d like to take the liberty to break this down. A study found that cannabis is involved in approximately 50% of psychosis and schizophrenia cases, but importantly, this similarity did not establish a ‘cause-effect’ relationship, as many people with similar psychopathological characteristics and cannabis usage did not develop schizophrenia or psychosis. In layman’s terms, using cannabis inherently puts you at a statistical RISK of developing these conditions, but does not mean you will just develop schizophrenia. A different report, conducted by Kings College London, aimed to estimate the risk of psychosis from both cannabis use and genetic predisposition to schizophrenia. RA Dr Edoardo Spinazzola noted that they:

 

‘Found no evidence of an interaction between the two, suggesting they influence the risk of psychosis through separate pathways… Through further analysis of cannabis use of different frequencies and potencies, we have shown that highest risk for psychosis is in those with greater genetic predisposition to schizophrenia who use high potency cannabis daily’ (King's College London, 2024).

 

Ultimately, while the risks are real and should be acknowledged, they remain part of a complex and multifaceted picture. Just as with legal substances like alcohol and tobacco, which both pose their own well-documented dangers, adults should have the right to make an informed choice about cannabis use, understanding the risks and exercising personal responsibility. Nevertheless, we will return to tobacco and alcohol in a few seconds…

Further arguments persist surrounding the fears of a ‘gateway drug’ effect, increased impaired driving and a persistence of black markets. This is almost too easy. The ‘gateway drug’ point is easily broken down by studies that have repeatedly found predictors of progression from weed to harder drugs to be influenced by a wide variety of other demographical and neurological factors. Alcohol and tobacco could also be considered to be gateway drugs yet are legal. The point about impaired driving; drunk driving is naturally much more impairing and more prevalent on British roads. Lastly, do legislators really believe that any sane person would still visit black market dealers if we had a fairly priced and accessible ‘Amsterdam-style’ coffeeshop system in the UK? I firmly believe that legalisation would successfully decimate illegal operations, or force dealers to find ways into legal, tax-paying markets.

Furthermore, this is all outweighed by one simple moral argument. Consistency.

In the UK, far more harmful substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and vapes are legal and readily available, despite being responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year. Meanwhile, cannabis, which is widely regarded as less harmful by health experts, is not just criminalised, but often demonised. Even obtaining a gun licence is legal under strict regulation. This raises a fundamental question of fairness: if society accepts the risks of alcohol or tobacco under the principle of personal choice and regulation, why deny the same for cannabis? Legal systems should be guided by evidence and logic, not political fear or outdated stigma. The continued criminalisation of cannabis is not just inconsistent - it’s unjust. In truth, many of the arguments used to oppose cannabis legalisation collapse under the weight of everyday reality. The UK already permits a wide range of inherently high-risk activities - drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, vaping, and even eating unhealthy fast food. Each of these comes with well-documented health risks, yet they remain legal under the principle of personal choice. Individuals are trusted to make informed decisions about their bodies, so long as the products are regulated and labelled. Cannabis is no different. Like alcohol or junk food, it may not be risk-free, but that risk should be managed, not criminalised. The role of the state should be to educate and regulate - not to punish adults for making personal lifestyle choices. A fair and consistent policy would acknowledge that cannabis use, like many other legal habits, belongs in the realm of public health, not criminal justice.

Let’s conclude. After examining the overwhelming evidence, it’s difficult to argue against the legalisation of cannabis in the UK with a straight face. From economic gains and social justice reform to public health and crime reduction, the benefits of a regulated cannabis market are extensive and well-documented. International case studies have shown that legalisation does not lead to social collapse - it leads to safer consumption, thriving industries, fewer arrests, and more efficient public services. Meanwhile, the arguments against legalisation either rely on outdated myths, misunderstandings of mental health risk factors, or moral panic unsupported by data and perpetuated by yours truly – the British tabloid media and their fear-mongering stories with sensationalist headlines like ‘Skunk psychosis,’ Cannabis timebomb,’ and ‘Zombie weed.’

Above all, the refusal to legalise cannabis in a country where twelve of its Parliament’s toilet areas tested positive for traces of cocaine, and that openly permits alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and firearm licensing reveals a staggering inconsistency in public policy. Personal freedom, harm reduction, and rational governance demand a new approach - one that treats cannabis not as a criminal issue, but as a matter of choice, health, and responsible regulation. Until that day comes, British cannabis culture will continue to operate - thriving, unregulated, and criminalised not by logic, but by political cowardice. Let’s change that please. It’s time.

@thehigheststreet

 

References:

HMICFRS. (2021). Retrieved from https://yjlc.uk/resources/legal-updates/racial-disparity-stop-and-search-new-report-calls-greater-scrutiny-self

House of Commons Library. (2023). Retrieved from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0086/#:~:text=There%20are%20no%20official%20estimates,for%20medical%20and%20scientific%20purposes.

King's College London. (2024, December 6). Retrieved from https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/cannabis-use-increases-risk-of-psychosis-independently-from-genetic-predisposition

ONS. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/policeforceareadatatables

Organization, W. H. (2024). Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours . Retrieved from World Health Organization : https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis

Rawlinson, K. (2025). Sadiq Khan calls for partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession . Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/28/sadiq-khan-calls-for-partial-decriminalisation-of-cannabis-possession

TRANSFORM. (2025). Retrieved from https://transformdrugs.org/assets/files/High_Returns_Full_Report.pdf

World Health Organization. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis