The UK is said to have its first majority political party in some time, heading into the general election on a pro-cannabis platform. It's the Liberal Democrats who have just recently openly pledged to push for legalization of cannabis in the country now, if they win the general election in June. They've detailed their stance in a manifesto pledge.
They say that they want to eventually allow various shops and social clubs to be able to sell cannabis in the country.
They see the current market as being controlled by gangs and they want to change that by offering their own restricted and highly regulated market, their own version of freedom when it comes to cannabis. And this isn't the first time that they have indicated that they might be open to legalizing it.
The Liberal Democrats want to welcome legalization because there is an incredible amount of wealth that can be generated from taxing the cannabis market, and they say that the plan is to spend those funds on public health. But who are we kidding, the majority of it will probably end up going toward funding illegal wars overseas. Or go toward paying interest to central banks.
They previously commissioned a study which eventually determined that the move for legalization might generate over at least $1 billion in revenue.
At least they acknowledge that the approach they are using now is certainly flawed.
They've admitted that their current method requires spending a lot of money on making the lives of many people worse. Perhaps criminalizing a large amount of people over a victimless crime isn't the best way to go about doing things.
They see a restricted cannabis market in the UK that offers to those over the age of 18 years old, allowing shops to seek a permit to begin selling the product. It's no surprise that they would want to follow similar in the footsteps of those in the U.S. that have embraced legalization, as well as other countries around the world that are already well on their way.
As of right now, cannabis is said to be the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. Which tells authorities that when it comes to cannabis, millions of people don't think that they should need to ask permission before exercising their natural rights in consuming it.
When it comes to lawmakers and other health experts and professionals in the country, they too suggest that legalization is the only solution to mental health issues and crime surrounding cannabis. Perhaps it is only a matter of time before they welcome legalization just like Uruguay, the U.S., and other countries are looking to.
Pics:
Pixabay
Sources:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/lib-dems-unveil-dramatic-manifesto-10406861
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3544009/lib-dems-will-pledge-to-completely-legalise-cannabis-and-allow-it-to-be-sold-on-the-high-street/
http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/12/liberal-democrats-pledge-to-legalise-cannabis-if-they-win-general-election-6632699/
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/-sp-drug-use-is-rising-in-the-uk-but-were-not-addicted
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/legalising-cannabis-47-support-sale-of-drug-through-licensed-shops-poll-reveals-a6976796.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cannabis-marijuana-legalisation-liberal-democrats-drug-policy-a6927936.html
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/21/uk-should-legalise-cannabis-adam-smith-institute-report
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/legalising-cannabis-47-support-sale-of-drug-through-licensed-shops-poll-reveals-a6976796.html