Cannabis has been used by humans for over 5,000 years, both as a medicinal herb and a recreational drug. In the UK, in 2014 over 2 million people aged 16 to 59 admitted to using cannabis, consuming in total around 216 tonnes. An NHS report on adult drug misuse published in 2017 found cannabis to be the most commonly used illicit drug in the United Kingdom. Despite this, cannabis remains illegal to possess, grow and distribute, but are people calling for change?
What's Europe's stance?
Europe also find cannabis to be the most commonly used illicit drug, mentioned most frequently in European reports of drug law offences - making up 57% of all offences. 1 in 8 European citizens between the ages of 15 to 34 admitted to being a user of cannabis at some stage within the last year.
In the Netherlands, an alternative practise of tolerance exists in which - despite growing, supplying and possessing cannabis remaining a criminal offence - licenced 'coffeeshops' are set up as cannabis outlets for recreational users aged 18+. In this respect, the fight for decriminalisation may have been won in Holland, but full legalisation remains heavily campaigned for.
No harmonised European Union law exists to govern cannabis use. As part of the way in which the EU may function, drug legislation is required to compliment the decisions and views of the member states. For this reason, cannabis legislation is the responsibility of the individual member states - suggesting that Britain's membership of the European Union is not an important factor for legislative progression.
Are British citizens calling for change?
As part of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1920, cannabis has been an illegal drug in the UK since 1928. For many years the British government has denied any understanding of the plant as medicinal and instead recognises it as a gateway recreational drug.
According to the BBC and the UN's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) the United Kingdom is the main producer and exporter of medicinal cannabis internationally. Victoria Atkins, who's parliamentary responsibilities included permitting licenses to grow cannabis in the UK, is the partner of Mr Kenward, managing director of British Sugar which is contracted to grow cannabis for GW Pharmaceuticals. It remains one of the only licenses to be granted and is certainly the largest cannabis growing organisation to be permitted a licence.
Despite this, a recent poll by YouGov has found that around three quarters of British people supported the medicinal use of the plant, and 50% of those surveyed supported full recreational legalisation.
Political Stances:
The Liberal Democrat manifesto says that legalising cannabis would raise £1bn for the Exchequer. BBC Reality Check verdict: £1bn seems like a reasonable estimate.
