The UK has had very strict cannabis laws for decades while the rest of the world legalizes or decriminalizes it. But with this new government, the topic of cannabis laws is burning up all over again. Is the UK changing its attitude towards cannabis? Let us find out about the legalisation of cannabis in the UK.
A Look Back at Cannabis Laws in the UK
The Labour government in 2001 lowered cannabis to Class C, thus bringing less punishment on possession and sales. The step was regarded as a progressive line toward a more rational drug policy. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 2007, however, proceeded in the reverse direction and restated cannabis to be a Class B drug again.
In the UK, this can lead to a warning, a fine, or up to five years of imprisonment. Dealing or growing cannabis can lead to a 14-year maximum prison term. This notwithstanding, cannabis is very popular—7.5 million individuals in the UK have consumed it at some point, and 2.6 million regularly consume it. The illicit cannabis market in the UK is worth anything from £2.57 billion to £6 billion annually.
What is New in 2025?
The political scenario in the UK was drastically altered with the victory of the Labour Party in the 2024 General Election. Most of the party members favour reforming drug laws, like cannabis. Even London Mayor Sadiq Khan proposed a pilot decriminalization plan for the city.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, however, has been cautious. In the past, he has been skeptical about decriminalization but said he would be open to discussing drug policies. During the election campaign, he did not even mention drug reform, likely to avoid controversy. But with Labour now in power, expectations of change can be anticipated.
Where Do Other Political Parties Stand?
- Liberal Democrats: Strongly support the legalization of cannabis and will likely be arguing for change.
- Green Party: The Party also supports legalizing cannabis and reducing criminal penalties.
- Conservative Party: Generally opposed to drug reform and likely to resist change.
- Reform Party: A right-wing political party that would likely oppose legalizing cannabis.
Being in a majority when Labour is represented, they are in a position to make demands if they do have sufficient in their own houses and amongst opposition MPs who hold reformist leanings.
The State of Medical Cannabis in the UK
The UK legalized medical cannabis in 2018, and specialist doctors can prescribe it. Access, however, is restricted. The majority of patients have to access it through private clinics, which are costly. NHS prescriptions are the exception, and the process is complicated.
The majority of the consumers of medical cannabis have complained that the police have confiscated their legally prescribed medicine because they are not certain about the law. Organizations such as Cancard enable patients to prove that they have a valid medical rationale for possessing cannabis, but government authorities do not recognize these cards.
What About Decriminalisation?
Even though the law is severe, most police in the UK do not prosecute for the simple possession of cannabis. They warn or fine instead. In 2010/11, there were 160,733 offenses of cannabis possession, but in 2019/20, it was down to 110,085. Fewer than a quarter of them were charged.
A number of UK police and crime commissioners have a preference for “diversion schemes” so that individuals stay out of the criminal justice system. Labor authorities have been most likely to implement these schemes, which could reduce police action for cannabis possession in the future.
What is Going On Around the World?
The UK is behind other nations that have already shifted away from their cannabis legislation:
- Canada & Uruguay – Fully legalized cannabis for adults.
- USA – Some states have legalized cannabis, and federal authorities are preparing to reclassify it.
- Germany – Legalized individual consumption of cannabis in 2024, with up to 25g tolerated outside the home and at home.
- Malta & Luxembourg – Legalized cannabis in recent years.
- Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic – Moving toward regulated cannabis markets.
Countries that have legalized cannabis are experiencing gains in the way of higher tax revenue, new jobs, and less drug crime.
Could the UK Be Next?
There is growing public support in the UK for the legalization of cannabis. Surveys show:
- In 2019, less than a third of the population favored keeping cannabis illegal.
- In 2022, a poll discovered that 5.85 million adults who had not consumed cannabis in the last ten years would use it if cannabis were legal.
- A survey in 2024 revealed 80% of Gen Z adults believe cannabis should be legalized.
- A 2025 YouGov survey revealed that only 33% of Brits support maintaining cannabis prohibition.
- There is a compelling economic case for legalisation as well. CLEAR puts legalizing cannabis at £3.3 billion to £9.5 billion a year into the UK Treasury.
How You Can Help Cannabis Legalisation in the UK
- Write to Your MP – Put your local representative on notice that you are a supporter of the legalization of cannabis. Sites such as WriteToThem make it simple.
- Join Activism Groups – Join groups such as UK Cannabis Social Clubs that campaign for change.
- Educate Others – Discuss with individuals with doubts regarding cannabis legalization and have them grasp the advantages.
- Support Medical Cannabis Patients – Assist others in comprehending the challenges of individuals who are dependent on cannabis for medicinal purposes.
The Bottom Line
The legalization of cannabis in the UK is not a matter of if but when. With a new government, growing public support, and other nations paving the way, the UK is under pressure to reassess its out-of-date cannabis laws. By campaigning for change, raising awareness, and demonstrating the advantages of legalization, we can work towards a future where cannabis is legal, safe, and controlled.