Britain’s Police Chiefs Urge Increased Cannabis Enforcement

Cannabis remains prohibited in Great Britain, and cannabis for legal medical use continues to be limited to a large degree. Despite cannabis prohibition continuing to be a failed public policy approach by every meaningful measure, law enforcement leaders in Britain are urging a crackdown on personal cannabis possession and consumption.

“The country’s longest-serving chief constable admits the smell of the drug is a ‘sign of crime and disorder’ which makes even him ‘feel unsafe’.” reported Daily Mail. “Sir Andy Marsh, who leads the College of Policing, said frontline officers should ‘do something about it’.”

“Launching a new leadership programme for policing, they acknowledged forces were in a ‘foot race for public confidence’ and officers can no longer ignore what has traditionally been perceived as the ‘little stuff’.” the outlet also reported.

The comments made by Sir Andy Marsh were echoed by Greater Manchester Police Chief Sir Stephen Watson and Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy. Sir Andy Marsh reportedly also said that law enforcement “must listen to their communities and be prepared to take a tougher line.”

However, public opinion is not in line with the recent comments made by the law enforcement leaders. A recent YouGov UK poll asked adults in the United Kingdom, “Would you support or oppose decriminalising possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use?”

A combined 54% of poll respondents expressed support for the public policy change. Only 34% of poll respondents directly opposed cannabis decriminalization in the United Kingdom, with 13% being undecided.

In 2022, London Mayor Sadiq Khan established the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC), tasking the Commission with examining cannabis policies in England’s capital city and other jurisdictions. The commission recently published its findings and recommended that personal cannabis possession be decriminalized, a recommendation that Mayor Khan reportedly supports.

“The report follows detailed analysis of written and oral evidence from over 200 experts and academics from London, the UK and around the world. Lord Falconer and his Deputies were assisted by leading experts from criminal justice, public health, community relations and drug policy and supported by academics from University College London (UCL).” The London Drugs Commission stated about its methodology.

“Inclusion of cannabis as a Class B drug in the Misuse of Drugs Act is disproportionate to the harms it can pose relative to other drugs controlled by the Act. The sentencing options currently available, especially for personal possession, cannot be justified when balanced against the longer-term impacts of experience of the justice system, including stop and search, or of serving a criminal sentence can have on a person.” The Commission stated about its report.

“Sir Sadiq Khan said current rules “cannot be justified”, adding that the commission’s findings had provided “a compelling, evidence-based case” for decriminalisation.” reported BBC in its local coverage.