Over 165,000 Signatures Collected on Petition to Legalize Cannabis in the U.K.

Over 165,000 Signatures Collected on Petition to Legalize Cannabis in the U.K.

A petition calling on the U.K. to legalize recreational cannabis has garnered over 165,000 signature, well more than the 100,000 required to put the issue to a parliamentary debate.

“Legalising cannabis could bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs”, states the petition. “A substance that is safer than alcohol, and has many uses. It is believed to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, being made illegal in the UK in 1925.”

Through its Petitions Committee, the British government has agreed to officially respond to any petition that reaches 10,000 signatures, with parliament to consider a debate on any petition that garners at least 100,000 signatures..

In the U.K., cannabis is a Class B drug punishable by up to 5 years in prison for simply possession, and up to 14 years for distributing or manufacturing the plant.

– TheJointBlog