The Issue
What's the current law?
Cannabis, or marijuana as it is also called, is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means that it is illegal to have it on your person and carry penalties if you are caught with it.
If you are caught with cannabis in your possession, you could be sent to prison for up to a maximum of 5 years. You could also receive a fine (there is no maximum on the amount) or even both. If it is a small amount, the police have the ability to 'let you off' with a warning, or give an on-the-spot fine of £90.
If you are caught with a large amount, enough to make it look like that you are supplying or producing it (dealing), then the punishments are significantly worse. You can still be fined, again with no maximum, but the maximum prison sentence is increased to 14 years.
Many people think that this is unfair and that cannabis should be legalised so that people are able to use, produce and distribute this drug freely. Others think that the law is correct and cannabis should remain a controlled drug.
We invite you to Make Your Mind Up;
Cannabis, or marijuana as it is also called, is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means that it is illegal to have it on your person and carry penalties if you are caught with it.
If you are caught with cannabis in your possession, you could be sent to prison for up to a maximum of 5 years. You could also receive a fine (there is no maximum on the amount) or even both. If it is a small amount, the police have the ability to 'let you off' with a warning, or give an on-the-spot fine of £90.
If you are caught with a large amount, enough to make it look like that you are supplying or producing it (dealing), then the punishments are significantly worse. You can still be fined, again with no maximum, but the maximum prison sentence is increased to 14 years.
Many people think that this is unfair and that cannabis should be legalised so that people are able to use, produce and distribute this drug freely. Others think that the law is correct and cannabis should remain a controlled drug.
We invite you to Make Your Mind Up;
FOR: Extra Tax Revenue
Making cannabis legal would mean that the government could tax it, much in the same way as they do for tobacco. They could tax the people who produce it on their farms, the shop that sells it and you when you buy it. That is a lot of tax.
A report suggests that if cannabis was taxed the same as alcohol, the UK would receive an extra £2bn in revenue. If it was taxed the same as tobacco, almost £3.5bn would be raised. To put that into perspective, just £1.4bn extra would pay for the salaries of all of the midwives and ambulance crews in the UK.
If there was a significant increase in tax revenue, then potentially other taxes could be reviewed and even reduced.
Legalising cannabis therefore has the potential to bring tax benefits.
A report suggests that if cannabis was taxed the same as alcohol, the UK would receive an extra £2bn in revenue. If it was taxed the same as tobacco, almost £3.5bn would be raised. To put that into perspective, just £1.4bn extra would pay for the salaries of all of the midwives and ambulance crews in the UK.
If there was a significant increase in tax revenue, then potentially other taxes could be reviewed and even reduced.
Legalising cannabis therefore has the potential to bring tax benefits.
AGAINST: More Cannabis Users
Legalising cannabis could mean that more people are likely to use it. Those who have been put off by the fact that they could be arrested would no longer have that worry. Making it legal may lead to people thinking the government actually endorses the use of cannabis and therefore increase uptake that way.
Cannabis has been found to be addictive as well having other side effects. Research shows that one in ten (10%) users become dependant on it. If you stop using it, you may find yourself with withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and even anxiety.
If it is made legal, it is highly likely that more people will use cannabis and suffer from the associated risks.
Cannabis has been found to be addictive as well having other side effects. Research shows that one in ten (10%) users become dependant on it. If you stop using it, you may find yourself with withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and even anxiety.
If it is made legal, it is highly likely that more people will use cannabis and suffer from the associated risks.
FOR: Less Public Spending
Research has suggested that police across the UK spend over 1 MILLION hours each year dealing with cannabis related crime. Making cannabis legal would greatly reduce this figure and free up police time for other criminal activity. Police would be able to save the £30m spent and instead use that to conduct investigations.
Criminals who are prosecuted for cannabis related offences go through the courts, meaning courts are less able to hear other matters. Legalising cannabis would mean this court time could be used on more serious offences, or allowing other hearings more time.
Therefore less of the tax payers money would be needed to support these systems.
Criminals who are prosecuted for cannabis related offences go through the courts, meaning courts are less able to hear other matters. Legalising cannabis would mean this court time could be used on more serious offences, or allowing other hearings more time.
Therefore less of the tax payers money would be needed to support these systems.
AGAINST: Health Risks
Cannabis has been found to pose several risks to your health.
Using cannabis regularly can increase the risk of you developing a psychotic illness, such as Schizophrenia. These illnesses involve you hallucinations, where you see something that isn't really there, and delusions, where you believe things that aren't true. Cannabis can also make your psychotic symptoms worse.
Smoking cannabis regularly can lead to bronchitis, and if you smoke it with tobacco, you are risking tobacco-related lung diseases such as lung cancer.
Driving whilst under the influence of cannabis makes you more likely to be injured in a road traffic collision. This is because cannabis has the effect of slowing down your reaction speed.
There are other health risks associated with cannabis that you should also consider.
Using cannabis regularly can increase the risk of you developing a psychotic illness, such as Schizophrenia. These illnesses involve you hallucinations, where you see something that isn't really there, and delusions, where you believe things that aren't true. Cannabis can also make your psychotic symptoms worse.
Smoking cannabis regularly can lead to bronchitis, and if you smoke it with tobacco, you are risking tobacco-related lung diseases such as lung cancer.
Driving whilst under the influence of cannabis makes you more likely to be injured in a road traffic collision. This is because cannabis has the effect of slowing down your reaction speed.
There are other health risks associated with cannabis that you should also consider.
FOR: Health Benefits
There is medical research that shows cannabis can actually be used to treat various health conditions.
It has been found that marijuana, or products containing cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are effective at relieving chronic pain. An estimated 28 million people are suffering from chronic pain in the UK, so cannabis could be an effective solution.
Cannabinoids in pill form have been found to be effective at treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments in cancer patients. Some reports have suggested that CBD is effective in slowing down the growth of or even killing some types of cancer cell.
CBD has also been approved for use in the US for the treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy. Research has shown that the drug is very effective in reducing the amount of seizures a patient has.
So the health benefits of cannabis can be great. Legalising marijuana should lead to more research into the possible medical uses of it.
It has been found that marijuana, or products containing cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are effective at relieving chronic pain. An estimated 28 million people are suffering from chronic pain in the UK, so cannabis could be an effective solution.
Cannabinoids in pill form have been found to be effective at treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments in cancer patients. Some reports have suggested that CBD is effective in slowing down the growth of or even killing some types of cancer cell.
CBD has also been approved for use in the US for the treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy. Research has shown that the drug is very effective in reducing the amount of seizures a patient has.
So the health benefits of cannabis can be great. Legalising marijuana should lead to more research into the possible medical uses of it.
AGAINST: Gateway Drug
Studies have found that people who use cannabis are more likely to go on to use other 'harder' drugs. The idea is that by being exposed to an illegal drug, and enjoying it, young people are introduced into the world of drug use. More significantly, they are introduced to drug dealers who normally have much harder drugs on offer, such as cocaine and heroin.
The research shows that it is the social aspect of drug taking that demonstrates this. Users of soft drugs like cannabis are more likely to socialise with other drug users, and can be led to harder drugs through the concept of peer-pressure.
Users will be more accepting of illegal drugs if they have used a drug such as marijuana.
The research shows that it is the social aspect of drug taking that demonstrates this. Users of soft drugs like cannabis are more likely to socialise with other drug users, and can be led to harder drugs through the concept of peer-pressure.
Users will be more accepting of illegal drugs if they have used a drug such as marijuana.
PRO: Safer Weed
If cannabis was legalised, it would be regulated by the government. This would mean to be able to sell it, the cannabis would need to be of a certain quality, and contain specific ingredients. This would mean the drug would be better quality than what is found on the street, and therefore safer for users.
One type of cannabis that would is highly likely to remain illegal is 'Skunk'. Skunk has a dangerously high level of THC and causes several health issues. If safe cannabis is legalised, the more dangerous types will be less appealing to users.
A regulated cannabis market would also mean criminal gangs and dealers are put out of business, so even the act of purchasing the drug would be safer.
Legal weed is safer weed.
One type of cannabis that would is highly likely to remain illegal is 'Skunk'. Skunk has a dangerously high level of THC and causes several health issues. If safe cannabis is legalised, the more dangerous types will be less appealing to users.
A regulated cannabis market would also mean criminal gangs and dealers are put out of business, so even the act of purchasing the drug would be safer.
Legal weed is safer weed.