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When Will UK Move On Cannabis Legalization?

Written by Marguerite Arnold

Ready, steady, stop and go. The Brits stall again on cannabis reform.

It is becoming an embarrassment. The British government, despite major pressure from its own citizens and reform elsewhere, including in the EU, has stuck to its guns on cannabis.

So far, and as of July, the word from officials was that there was “no intention” of reforming the country’s cannabis laws.

This despite major fanfare as recently as last year that the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) came out supporting medical cannabis legalization.

And, in the meantime, several other European countries have moved forward on reform. In fact, since summer of last year, when cannabis reform finally seemed like it was moving in the UK, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece and even Ireland, announced new changes in domestic cannabis laws.

At the end of last year, in fact, it also appeared that the British were finally getting ready to make a move on cannabis products. They announced that all CBD grown, manufactured into products and sold in the country had to be via registered and licensed sellers. So far, however, this move appears to have been either a stall to prevent discussion of the larger issue of medical efficacy or recreational reform.

Cannabis Reform Post Brexit?

With the exception of Ireland, the British in fact, appear to be on a course to distinguish themselves from everything “euro.” Cannabis, sadly, appears to be part of that bucket of fish. In reality, the government is absolutely overwhelmed with the realities of exiting the European market.

Cannabis reform, even domestically, comes far second.

That this would be a domestic, taxable industry is a conversation that has not gained much traction. Yet. That revenues from it could help prop up a failing NHS is another.

Despite the popularity of cannabis in the UK, for both medical and recreational use, and the beginnings of awareness if not recognition of its medical efficacy, the government, and even opposition parties have all put this on the back burner.

In this environment, therefore, it is unlikely that real cannabis reform will come quickly to Britain. It is still the home of one of the world’s foremost medical pharmaceutical suppliers of cannabinoid based medicine elsewhere.

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About the author

Marguerite Arnold