Major report recommends cannabis decriminalisation and public health support for users

The report, called The Cannabis Conundrum: a way forward for London, has been produced by the London Drugs Commission, which was set up by Khan in 2022 and is chaired by Labour Peer and former Justice Secretary KC Lord Charlie Falconer.

It calls for the law to be modified on the basis that the severity of penalties for related offences, particularly possession, is ‘disproportionately high’.

It goes on to say that the law on cannabis possession is experienced disproportionately by those from ethnic minority groups, particularly London’s black communities who are more likely to be stopped and searched by police on suspicion of cannabis possession, though no more likely than white people to be found carrying the drug.

The report’s key recommendation include:

• Removing natural (but not synthetic) cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act
• Moving it under the Psychoactive Substances Act instead
• Focusing criminal justice efforts on dealers rather than users
• Providing better medical support for those with cannabis addiction

The report concludes: “While not a perfect solution, we therefore recommend natural (but not synthetic) cannabis be removed from the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). This will bring it under the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA). We think this represents the best way of addressing key harms of the current law.”

London Mayor Khan said: “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.”

Commission Chair Lord Falconer said: “This is the most extensive consideration of what is the correct public policy response to cannabis in recent times. It is clear that a fundamental reset is required. Legalisation is not the answer.

“The criminal justice system response needs to focus only on the dealers and not the users.

“Those who suffer from the adverse effects of cannabis - which may be a small percentage of users but it is a high number of people - need reliable, consistent medical and other support. And there needs to be much more education on the risks of cannabis use.

“Our Report provides detailed recommendations on how the law needs to change to reflect a new focus for the criminal justice system, and how the response of the public and other sectors can better support those damaged by cannabis use.”

The report is based on the evidence of over 200 experts and academics from London, across the UK and around the world. It makes 42 recommendations and makes overarching conclusions that relate to public health, policing, the justice system and education.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.”

Cannabis is currently classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, meaning possession can result in up to five years in prison, while supply and production offences can carry up to 14 years.

For full details, read The Cannabis Conundrum report.