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

Jamauk · 1 Jan 2024 at 22:12

Apologies if this sounds defeatist, whilst it is not a drug I support I do actually think it would be better to legalize it, control the qualities of it to ensure better public safety as there are all sorts of strange concoctions mixed in with some of the stuff illegally sold. Crime rate could potentially be more controlled as there is a lot of crimes committed to fund addiction.

There would also be the possibility to reinvest the money received in taxes, unlikely though, this seems to be an afterthought with any government.

M1k3H · 1 Jan 2024 at 22:26

Legalisation will lead to increased taxation, reduced funding for crime, better quality control. It's a win-win for all taxpayers.

shiver · 2 Jan 2024 at 09:58

Needs to be legalised and taxed already.

Unfortunately won't happen until a certain MP family's fingers are no longer in the pie that is the biggest exporter of medicinal cannabis.

randal · 2 Jan 2024 at 10:02

shiver said:
Needs to be legalised and taxed already.

Unfortunately won't happen until a certain MP family's fingers are no longer in the pie that is the biggest exporter of medicinal cannabis.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care no less. Brilliant.

Jae-So · 2 Jan 2024 at 10:05

M1k3H said:
Legalisation will lead to increased taxation, reduced funding for crime, better quality control. It's a win-win for all taxpayers.

Agreed, I don't really use it myself but as far as I'm aware it is considered by many as less harmful than alcohol (which I do drink).

j.col · 2 Jan 2024 at 12:26

M1k3H said:
Legalisation will lead to increased taxation, reduced funding for crime, better quality control. It's a win-win for all taxpayers.

If it did become legal then the government cannot be too greedy taxing it and not be too harsh on the licenceing requirements.

If is more expensive than the local dealer, then users will still use the local dealer and avoid the licenced sellers.

Tuppy_Glossop · 2 Jan 2024 at 12:33

j.col said:
If it did become legal then the government cannot be too greedy taxing it and not be too harsh on the licenceing requirements.

If is more expensive than the local dealer, then users will still use the local dealer and avoid the licenced sellers.

This is true. Although there is probably a group that can afford a higher price with better quality control and legality, and another group who care less about the legal aspect and would rather pay less for unregulated/stronger black market goods.

Junglist · 2 Jan 2024 at 12:45

I'd 100% rather go sit in a nice cafe even if it meant paying more than I pay at the moment. You have to pay for nice things and it's only fair.

They just need to look at Amsterdam, Barcelona or a few states in the US. Some nice bright spaces and some good quality products available... and some overpriced soft drinks.

M1k3H · 2 Jan 2024 at 12:50

Junglist said:
I'd 100% rather go sit in a nice cafe even if it meant paying more than I pay at the moment. You have to pay for nice things and it's only fair.

They just need to look at Amsterdam, Barcelona or a few states in the US. Some nice bright spaces and some good quality products available... and some overpriced soft drinks.

Went to Barcelona and was surprised to see a Marijuana Club right next to our hotel.

Was curious so we signed up (was only 20eu), and my god, such a nice place. You can only smoke in the club, buy your weed from the club and store it in the club before leaving. There were also a few vending machines and a very good ventilation system. Also some nice edibles.

P.S. When I say club I mean a member's club, it was more like a coffeeshop layout inside.

Junglist · 2 Jan 2024 at 12:54

M1k3H said:
Went to Barcelona and was surprised to see a Marijuana Club right next to our hotel.

Was curious so we signed up (was only 20eu), and my god, such a nice place. You can only smoke in the club, buy your weed from the club and store it in the club before leaving. There were also a few vending machines and a very good ventilation system. Also some nice edibles.

P.S. When I say club I mean a member's club, it was more like a coffeeshop layout inside.

Yeah I've heard they're really good. I've not been to one but I know Cookies have opened one in Barcelona that I'd love to visit. My favourites in Amsterdam are Green House and both of the Barney's locations. They such nice places inside that unless you hated the smell of cannabis, they're nice places to hang out. I'd feel much more comfortable in a coffeeshop than a pub/bar that's for sure.

Rai200 · 2 Jan 2024 at 17:17

j.col said:
If it did become legal then the government cannot be too greedy taxing it and not be too harsh on the licenceing requirements.

If is more expensive than the local dealer, then users will still use the local dealer and avoid the licenced sellers.

They can be greedy. The only thing that makes it expensive is that it's illegal. It's not dificult to grow or process.

Price of cannabis in the UK | Statista

This statistic presents the estimated price of legalized cannabis per gram, in the United Kingdom in 2018 by duty rate.

www.statista.com

It could be taxed at 100% the sale value and still be slightly cheaper.

mid_gen · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:29

j.col said:
If it did become legal then the government cannot be too greedy taxing it and not be too harsh on the licenceing requirements.

If is more expensive than the local dealer, then users will still use the local dealer and avoid the licenced sellers.

I don't think this is quite the issue it's made our to be. Alcohol is crazy expensive now and you don't see people buying black market moonshine. There'll be options to cater to all sorts, cheap stuff bought online. Fancy cafes and premium options etc. Same as booze or coffee.

Thekwango · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:33

Junglist said:
I'd feel much more comfortable in a coffeeshop than a pub/bar that's for sure.

same and you're also infinitely less likely to get glassed in a weed cafe than a pub.

Junglist · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:38

Rai200 said:
They can be greedy. The only thing that makes it expensive is that it's illegal. It's not dificult to grow or process.

Price of cannabis in the UK | Statista

This statistic presents the estimated price of legalized cannabis per gram, in the United Kingdom in 2018 by duty rate.

www.statista.com

It could be taxed at 100% the sale value and still be slightly cheaper.

I really don’t see them genuinely attempting to sell it at the prices quoted in that link. I know that people who are legally able to buy medical cannabis have it at extortionate prices but I feel if it was opened up to a recreational market you can’t go charring that price for bottom tier stuff. Otherwise people will just stay online

silvagti · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:38

The concern I have is that all of the folk I know who smoked regularly developed a variety of mental health issues. I think hangovers and the physical health impact of drinking regularly sometimes prevents folk from binging daily. Whereas IME folk who smoked cannabis were more inclined to do it daily and regularly.

Could just be the folk I knew who smoked cannabis were more pre-disposed to mental health problems and addiction however it's hard not to draw a link bettwen the two based on my experience. For that reason I'd support it being reclassifed as it's definitely not harmless like some suggest.

Junglist · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:39

Thekwango said:
same and you're also infinitely less likely to get glassed in a weed cafe than a pub.

May put on a bit of timber if the treats are decent though

D-Ranged · 2 Jan 2024 at 18:57

Jae-So said:
Agreed, I don't really use it myself but as far as I'm aware it is considered by many as less harmful than alcohol (which I do drink).

I liked to party pretty hard when I was in my 20s and early 30s. I used to smoke weed when I was in my teens then stopped as I got to about 20.

I don't touch any party drugs now, I also don't drink alcohol, other than maybe once or twice a year, like Christmas, and never to excess.

Of all the drugs, including alcohol, alcohol is by far the worst. Makes you feel the worst. It's poison. And costs the NHS a billion or two every year if I'm not mistaken. And pretty much all of the other drugs, you are drinking alcohol with them, so what's the common denominator there...?

I don't think the NHS is getting hammered by people smoking weed. But it does have its own draw backs, (excuse the pun).

Stretch · 2 Jan 2024 at 19:11

Its harm relative to other drugs misses the point imo.

All drugs are bad, and ideally they wouldn’t exist. It’s the idea that society can prevent people taking drugs which is flawed. All we can do is reduce the harm, and all drugs are less harmful if they are managed within a sensible legal framework which accepts that people will take them and doesn’t penalise them for doing so.

Should we discourage drugs use.

Absolutely, but through education.

Sandycheeks · 2 Jan 2024 at 19:20

Know a few people that indulge and I feel like legalising would be a better option.
My experience is that most people that enjoy it are not harming others and mostly sit and watch movies or play games etc..
Just another way to wind down after a long day at work.
Why is a cigar and/or a glass of wine acceptable but this isn't?

Temujin · 2 Jan 2024 at 19:22

Sounds a bit dumb really and will more than likely backfire in the end if it goes through, maybe the booze should be reclassified as a B instead, that would be fun to watch.