A major experiment in London back in 2001 showed that decriminalizing cannabis led to a significant drop in crime and improved public approval of the police. This directorial trailblazer, Brian Paddick, faced political opposition, and the six-month test ended in just a year when Paddick was later quietly moved from his position due to unfounded allegations.
About a century later, there’s renewed debate around the decriminalization of cannabis in London. The newly released findings of the London Drugs Commission indicate that the criminal sanctions placed on users might be out of proportion to the harm caused by the drug. The commission suggests an alternative to the existing legal framework: decriminalize the “natural” forms of the drug, and regulate them for consumption in small quantities, though those involved in the production or supply of cannabis would still be acting against the law.
The proposal suggests that this could particularly tackle the prevalent inequalities in the policing of cannabis possession. Black individuals are widely reported to be disproportionately targeted in stop and searches, even though the chances of them carrying the drug remain the same as the rest of the population.
However, despite a mayor open to the idea and a public that is nearly split on the issue, real change could be stymied by the law: the Home Office has already declared there’s no plan to reclassify cannabis.
Politically, the subject remains extremely fraught. Only after eight years of legalization in Portugal and a wave of developments internationally, including Canada, South Africa, and Luxembourg, will the UK consider a policy shift?
Cannabis’s effects on health range widely from benign to concerning. While the majority of users do not experience significant harm, a minority could face potential dangers, especially with the stronger strains that are now commonplace.
Internationally, the UK’s position as an outlier could eventually shift as social attitudes continue to evolve.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/may/31/worried-about-weed-should-london-follow-new-york-and-decriminalise-cannabis
