Pro-cannabis drive threatens to push London to the brink

LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has thrown his weight behind calls to decriminalise small amounts of cannabis, saying that a new report by the London Drugs Commission makes a “compelling, evidence-based case” for reform.

- Esther Krakue Daily Express columnist

The report which Khan himself commissioned and which is chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Falconer argues current laws are “disproportionate to the harms” cannabis poses and unfairly target ethnic communities.

This is not only tone-deaf, it’s also worryingly out of touch with the realities that many Londoners face. In a city where crime and antisocial behaviour are on the rise, the last thing we need is yet another move that further undermines public order and civic standards. Khan seems more concerned with courting a progressive policy win than addressing the sense of unease among Londoners and those who work there.

Let's not pretend cannabis enforcement is draconian in the UK. Under current law, cannabis is classified as a Class B drug, meaning possession can lead to a fine or imprisonment.

In practice, however, nearly three-quarters of those caught with cannabis are not prosecuted. First-time offenders are often offered schemes focusing on education and treatment, rather than criminal sanctions.

So, what exactly is being decriminalised? The law already operates in a lenient and discretionary way.