London Drugs Commission

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The London Drugs Commission was an organisation set up by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to consider possible reforms to cannabis policy in the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

In 2001, cannabis was transferred from class C to class B. [1] In 2006, cannabis was returned to class B. [2]

Sadiq Khan announced the formation of the London Drugs Commission while in Los Angeles. [3]

Commissioners

The commission consisted of three members:

Report

The report by the commission was published in May 2025. [5] It made 42 recommendations including removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and instead to maintain it as a controlled substance under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. [5] The report stopped short of recommending full legalisation but still recommended decriminalisation. [6]

The report also made recommendations relating to providing harm reduction policies in healthcare and education, providing access to medical cannabis and monitoring international developments with an aim to reassess the broader case for legalisation after 5 years. [5]

Reception

Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said that the decriminalisation of cannabis was not something "we're calling for". Commander Paul Brogden, the leader of the Metropolitan's specialist crime division and the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for county lines and gangs, said that "the sale and supply of drugs is a key driver of serious crime across our communities". [7]

Yvette Cooper, the Labour Home Secretary, ruled out any changes to the law. [8] Matthew Pennycook, a minister and London MP, said that Khan was entitled to his view, but that there was no intention to reclassify the drug. [9]

Meg Jones, the director of the social justice and harm-reduction charity Cranstoun, described the recommendations as "transformational". [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Cannabis laws eased in drug policy shakeup". The Guardian. 24 October 2001. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Cannabis will remain class C drug". BBC News. 19 January 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  3. ↑ Bedigan, Mike (12 May 2022). "Decriminalisation queried as Khan praises 'high standards' of legal US cannabis". Independent. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "The London Drugs Commission". Greater London Authority. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kelly, James W (28 May 2025). "Mayor backs report's call for cannabis law reform". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "Sadiq Khan says current cannabis rules 'cannot be justified' and backs some decriminalisation calls". ITV News. 28 May 2025. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  7. ↑ France, Anthony (28 May 2025). "Case for decriminalising some cannabis possession 'compelling', Sadiq Khan says after London policing review". The Standard. Archived from the original on 27 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "What is Sadiq Khan really up to with his call to decriminalise cannabis?". Independent. 28 May 2025. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Bishop, Holly (28 May 2025). "Labour minister hits out at Sadiq Khan's call for cannabis law reform". Independent. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Jones, Meg (30 May 2025). "Sadiq Khan must follow through with his drug commission's recommendations". The House . Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
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