Make cannabis a Class A Drug, say Conservative Police Commissioners...

[visibleman]

Aren't we (UK) one of the biggest producers of medical cannabis in Europe?

Although has there been any solid evidence that legalising has reduced associated crime and illegal supply?
I'm not entirely against legalising it though, it certainly could be a good tax revenue and a way of controlling supply (to some extent).

New all the junkies would come out in this thread

 

[HummuH1]

Even more drugged maniacs on the road. A good job that self driving cars are the future also.

Although counterintuitive, studies have shown that legalisation does not necessarily mean a large increase in users.

 

[VincentHanna]

Just legalise it.

This.

Tax it, stop the criminal gangs profiting from it etc.

 

[NVP]

Just let us grow our own in peace.

 

[adidan]

Not sure why it's treated differently from alcohol. Neither of which I use.

Legalise it. Tax it. Have government owned stores for it that also provide a gateway for people wanting to not use drugs get help and advice.

 

[visibleman]

Although counterintuitive, studies have shown that legalisation does not necessarily mean a large increase in users.

Studies out of Canada seem to suggest that cannabis use has increased with legalisation - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cannabis-changed-canada-1.6219493. But it seems related crime/convictions have dropped but illegal sales and use are still a thing due to cost - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/world/canada/marijuana-legalization-promises-made.html.

Still, it's created a multi-billion dollar (CAD) industry in Canada.

 

[Dis86]

"If you look at the young people in treatment, the number one drug they are in treatment for is cannabis."

Is this actually a thing now? I have never heard anyone being "treated" for cannabis?

Legalising it, while providing jobs and tax revenue, would also reduce crime. Its a no brainer.

Yeah but legalising murder would also reduce crime so that's a pants on head statement!

 

[adidan]

Yeah but legalising murder would also reduce crime so that's a pants on head statement!

So's that to be fair

 

[Rai200]

This.

Tax it, stop the criminal gangs profiting from it etc.

100% agree, don't even smoke it myself but why not have another revenue stream for tax, reduce the burden on policing, make it safer for the end user (referring more to purchase than use, we all know it's way safer than alcohol for example) etc.

 

[Dis86]

This.

Tax it, stop the criminal gangs profiting from it etc.

Because that worked for cigarettes and alcohol?

 

[StriderX]

Because that worked for cigarettes and alcohol?

There's no stopping the black market, but if you want a beer you at least have a choice to avoid stabby chavs.

 

[Macky]

Because that worked for cigarettes and alcohol?

You're not half posting some rubbish in this thread. Comparing legalising the consumption of cannabis with murder and now this. I haven't heard of any criminal gangs profiting from illicit sales of cigarettes or alcohol in this country? Sure, Steve from Skegness might bring back a few thousand cigarettes from Benidorm to sell to his mates once a year, but that's hardly organised crime..

 

[Rai200]

Because that worked for cigarettes and alcohol?

Because making drugs illegal has clearly stopped them lmao.

 

[Chuk_Chuk]

If the tax from legalising drugs means the government can drop income tax, then I'm all for it. I still wouldn't touch the stuff though.

Just let us grow our own in peace.

freudian slip?

 

[Dis86]

You're not half posting some rubbish in this thread. Comparing legalising the consumption of cannabis with murder and now this. I haven't heard of any criminal gangs profiting from illicit sales of cigarettes or alcohol in this country? Sure, Steve from Skegness might bring back a few thousand cigarettes from Benidorm to sell to his mates once a year, but that's hardly organised crime..

I mean they literally are massive forms of organised crime with turnovers of hundreds of millions of pounds.

 

[Dis86]

Because making drugs illegal has clearly stopped them lmao.

As per the Canadian example, it reduces usage.

 

[Ahleckz]

As per the Canadian example, it reduces usage.

nvm - misread.

 

[dcsarge]

You're not half posting some rubbish in this thread. Comparing legalising the consumption of cannabis with murder and now this. I haven't heard of any criminal gangs profiting from illicit sales of cigarettes or alcohol in this country? Sure, Steve from Skegness might bring back a few thousand cigarettes from Benidorm to sell to his mates once a year, but that's hardly organised crime..

Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't go on. HM Customs still seize significant amounts of black market alcohol and tobacco, usually of very dodgy and unsafe quality, at ports in disguised shipments. It purely to profit from low cost sales and tax evasion and is more often than not linked to criminal organisations in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

The exact same thing will happen with the legalisation of cannabis or any other drug, especially if there are stronger strains that are still left as Class B.

 

[Moley]

If it was the cannabis we had in 60s/70s/80s it would be a stupid call, however since the advent of skunk and other super strength hybrids it likely IS a class A drug.

 

[Angilion]

"If you look at the young people in treatment, the number one drug they are in treatment for is cannabis."

Is this actually a thing now? I have never heard anyone being "treated" for cannabis?
[..]

I wonder if they're confusing it with synthetic cannabinoids.

Although there's evidence that cannabis has harmful effects on younger people and/or with high enough doses.

Selective breeding to increase THC levels and alter the proportions of the different cannabinoids (in favour of THC) and the scarcity of up to date research on that (or most aspects of cannabis, really), are also an issue.

With that said, decriminalisation and regulation are almost certainly the most effective ways to counter any problems. Including the "gateway drug" claim that's used so often (including by the commissioners that the OP refers to). Obviously buying drugs from illegal drug dealers makes buying illegal drugs much easier. That's the "gateway" - buying illegal drugs from people who also sell other illegal drugs.