UK MPs are calling for the government to modernise its policies on 'soft drugs' and legalise weed. Following reports that decriminalising the class B drug could net the treasury up to £1 billion a year, MPS from the Labour, Green, Conservative and Lib Dem parties including Nick Clegg, claim that the UK needs to follow the lead of other Western countries legalising cannabis and abolish its 'dark ages' policy.
Former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Clegg said: 'British politicians need to open their eyes to what is happening in the rest of the world. Cannabis prohibition is being swept away on a tide of popular opinion and replaced with responsible legal action.
'Now is the time for ministers to start writing the rules for this legal market, including age limits and health warnings, so that we can finally take back control from the criminal gangs.'
Reports claim that the legal cannabis market could be worth around £6.8 billion, which could potentially create an income for the government between £750 million and £1.05 billion in tax revenues and reduced criminal justice costs.
It's also expected to reduce the number of people serving time in prison for weed-related offences, which currently stands at 1,363 and costs the taxpayer £50 million per year.
The report comes as Germany prepares to legalise medicinal cannabis, while countries like the Netherlands, Portugal and 4 US states have decriminalised the drug and Canada also prepares for all-out legalisation.
Fellow Lib Dem MP, Norman Lamb commented: 'While other countries and US states are increasingly coming to adopt a more enlightened approach to drugs policy, we are stuck in the dark ages, filling the pockets of criminals and perpetuating the stigma which prevents so many drug users from seeking help.'
Co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas added: 'The War On Drugs has been an abject failure, and the continued criminalisation of cannabis-users is deeply counter-productive.
'Britain needs an evidence-based drugs policy, rather than continuing the expensive and ineffective prohibition regime.'
While it's unclear whether these statements are a bid to gain popularity among younger voters, it could indicate a step in the direction of changing attitudes towards drug use and the way we rehabilitate addiction.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.