Sir Ed Davey wants to legalise cannabis
If the Liberal Democrats win the election, their manifesto promises to remove 'skunk' from UK streets by creating a legal, controlled market for cannabis.
The manifesto also vows to help police have more time, decrease the number of cases waiting in court, and address the issue of overcrowded prisons by sending individuals arrested for drug possession to treatment instead of jail if necessary.
Nonetheless, Sir Ed Davey (alongside Labour) has also shown his endorsement for a gradual smoking prohibition outlined in the government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This legislation prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after January 1, 2009.
Is England Banning Cigarettes?
The government hoped the Bill would be approved before the upcoming election, but they ran out of time. The new smoking legislation focuses on regulating the sale of cigarettes in the UK, instead of the act of smoking itself. The plan is to incrementally increase the legal age for buying cigarettes, which is currently set at 18, by one year each year.
As a result of this change, individuals born in 2009 or later will not be legally allowed to buy. Those who already have the ability to purchase will not face any changes, but there will be strict restrictions on the strength of the products available.
Some people, including doctors, are in favor of this idea, but others are worried it may lead to an uncontrolled underground market.
Legal Cannabis Market In The UK
When questioned, the Liberal Democrat leader stood by his decision to support the legalization of cannabis, stating that it was not contradictory to also support a gradual smoking ban. He explained, "I am advocating for the ban of skunk because it poses serious health risks. It is widely known that cigarette smoking is extremely harmful to health."
This happened after members of the public asked him questions during a live phone-in on BBC Radio 5.
He also verified that the Party's plan is to introduce a controlled market for cannabis, in order to prevent more harmful and powerful varieties like skunk from being easily accessible.
When asked about his stance on the legalization of drugs like magic mushrooms, he mentioned that the party is in favor of health policies that are supported by evidence. When questioned about his own experience with cannabis, he admitted to trying it a few times while in university, but it was not a regular occurrence.
Both the Conservatives and Labour Party do not support the legalization of drugs. On the other hand, the Green Party is proposing a National Commission to discuss and decide on a reform of drug laws in the UK based on evidence. This could potentially lead to the country shifting towards a regulated market for drugs.
On the other hand, Reform UK has promised to create a new crime called Substantial Possession of Drugs, with severe penalties including hefty fines and required life imprisonment for those involved in drug trafficking.
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