London Mayor Sadiq Khan says that cannabis should be decriminalized, stating that the city’s current approach “cannot be justified”.
In his remarks, Mayor Khan called on the federal government to reevaluate how cannabis possession is treated under the law.
The endorsement follows the release of a new report from the London Drugs Commission, which Khan established in 2022 and is chaired by former justice minister Lord Charlie Falconer. The report finds that the current prohibition of marijuana is “disproportionate” and contributes to racial disparities in enforcement, particularly among ethnic minority communities.
Although the commission stops short of calling for full legalization, it recommends that natural cannabis be removed from the Misuse of Drugs Act and instead regulated under the Psychoactive Substances Act. This change would effectively decriminalize possession of small amounts for personal use while maintaining penalties for production, importation, and distribution.
“The report makes a compelling, evidence-based case for the decriminalization of small quantities of natural cannabis,” said Mayor Khan. “It’s time for the government to seriously consider this approach and prioritize health and education over criminalization.”
Under U.K. law, cannabis remains a Class B substance, with possession carrying potential fines and jail time.
