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A quick guide to find out if cannabis is legal in England and the UK.
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The current legal status of cannabis in England
Cannabis is currently classified as a Class B drug in England, which means that it is illegal to possess, supply or produce. The maximum penalty for possession is 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine, while the maximum penalty for supply and production is 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine. However, the penalties for cannabis-related offences are usually much less severe than the maximum penalties, and most people who are caught with small amounts of cannabis are usually given a caution or fined.
The history of cannabis legislation in England
Cannabis has been used in England for centuries, but its legal status has always been a matter of debate. The plant was first regulated in the early 1900s, and it has been illegal to possess or use cannabis in England since the 1960s. Despite this, cannabis use remains widespread throughout the country.
The history of cannabis legislation in England is complex and constantly evolving. Here is a brief overview of the most important moments in the legal history of cannabis in England:
1908: The English Parliament passes the firststone laws restricting the sale and possession of cannabis. These laws are largely ignored and unenforced.
1920: The British government classifiescannabis as a dangerous drug, making it illegal to possess or use without a doctor’s prescription.
1928: The United Kingdom signs the International Opium Convention, which bans the production and sale of cannabis, except for medical and scientific purposes.
1964: The United Kingdom ratifies the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which strengthens international controls on cannabis.
1971: Under pressure from the UN, the English Parliament passes the Misuse of Drugs Act, which makes possession of small amounts of cannabis a criminal offence punishable by up to 5 years in prison. This Act also creates specific offences for possession of larger amounts , cultivation , and supply . Despite these harsh penalties , possession offences remain fairly low priority for police and prosecutors .
1999: A government-commissioned report recommends that personal possessionof small amounts of cannabis be decriminalized . However , thisrecommendation is not implemented .
2003: Possessionof small amountsof cannabisis downgraded from a criminal offence to amisdemeanour punishable by a fine . This changein the law resultsin arapid increase inpolice stopsandsearchesforcannabis , particularlyin minority communities .
2008 : Policeare giventhe discretionto issue apenalty noticefordisorderly conductin lieuof arrestfor personalpossessionof < 28gramsof cannabis . Thesepenalty noticescarry asmall fine butdonot resultin adrug offencerecord .
2009 : Government-commissionedreport recommendsthat prosecutionsfor personalpossessionof drugsbe abandonedentirelyin order toreduceoffendingand Savecriminaljustice resources . However , thisrecommendationis not implemented .
2018 : Medicinaluseof cannabishas beenlegalized undercertainconditions .
The arguments for and against the legalisation of cannabis in England
The legal status of cannabis in England is complicated, and the debate around its legalisation is ongoing. Currently, the possession, cultivation, and supply of cannabis are all illegal in England. However, some limited exceptions are made for medical use and scientific research.
The arguments for legalising cannabis in England typically centre on the potential economic benefits of legalisation, as well as the argument that criminalising cannabis use is unfair and disproportionately affects certain groups of people. Those who oppose legalisation typically do so on the basis of public health concerns, including the potential for increased rates of mental health problems and addiction.
The potential impact of the legalisation of cannabis in England
The legalisation of cannabis in England would have a number of potential impacts, both positive and negative.
On the positive side, it could raise significant amounts of tax revenue for the government, as has been seen in other countries where cannabis is legal. This could be used to fund public services or to reduce the deficit. It could also create jobs in the new industry that would arise from legalisation.
On the negative side, there is a risk that legalisation could lead to an increase in cannabis use, particularly among young people. This could have a negative impact on their health and well-being. There is also a risk that the illegal market for cannabis would continue to thrive alongside the legal market, as has been seen in other countries.
