UK Politicians Study Canada’s Legal Weed Model, Predict Reform Ahead

29 July, 2019

A cross-party group of UK Members of Parliament believes the country could follow Canada’s lead in legalising recreational cannabis within the next decade. Labour’s David Lammy, Liberal Democrat Sir Norman Lamb, and Conservative Jonathan Djanogly visited Canada to examine its legal market, which has operated since 2018.

Lammy, previously cautious about reform, announced a change in position, calling for a regulated system to replace the illicit trade. “I want the market legalised, regulated and taken away from crime gangs,” he said, emphasising product labelling, reduced strength, and protection from criminalisation for young people.

Sir Norman Lamb, whose party officially supports legalisation, sampled THC-containing cannabis oil while in Canada - something illegal in the UK - saying it improved his sleep. Djanogly acknowledged potential economic benefits from cannabis cultivation, particularly in former industrial areas, but predicted a longer timeline for reform, estimating ten to fifteen years before legalisation.

The MPs’ visit, organised by the harm reduction group Volte Face and partly sponsored by Canadian cannabis company MPX, also highlighted the challenges Canada still faces. Despite legalisation, about half of cannabis sales remain in the illicit market, driven in part by unregulated “grey market” providers offering products not widely available in licensed stores.

In the UK, cannabis remains a Class B drug, with possession carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison. It can be prescribed for certain medical conditions following a 2018 rule change prompted by high-profile cases involving children with severe epilepsy. The government has stated it has “no intention” of legalising recreational use, warning that doing so would not eliminate illicit trade or the harms associated with drug misuse.

If reform were to proceed, it could transform the UK cannabis landscape. Regulated production and retail could generate tax revenue, create jobs, and improve consumer safety. Medical patients could gain greater access to THC-containing treatments, while police resources might be freed from low-level possession enforcement. Yet, Canada’s mixed results show that implementation will require careful planning to transition users away from the black market.