Critical Overview
Medical cannabis was legalized in the United Kingdom in November 2018, though the program has been criticized for issues with patients’ access to medicine and approval. The country’s Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 contains a litany of regulations covering cannabis and other drugs, with Class B drugs carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison if indicted. Cultivation of cannabis is illegal, and the law states that it is also illegal for occupiers of premises to permit certain activities like smoking cannabis.
Marijuana Laws in Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
While the Misuse of Drugs Act applies across the United Kingdom, enforcement of drug offenses, including cannabis, and attitudes toward cannabis can differ between Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, any changes to the drug laws would require approval from Westminster. Scotland has reached an agreement with Police Scotland to not arrest people caught with small amounts of drugs, and nearly half of the population supports legalization. Wales has shown progress in decriminalization and support for legalization from politicians, as well as a steady decrease in recent years in the number of prosecutions for marijuana possession. Northern Ireland was the setting of an important case involving medical cannabis, and 59% of the population in the UK supports legalization.
Conclusion
Despite the legalization of medical cannabis in 2018, the program in the United Kingdom has faced criticism regarding access to medicine and approval of patients. The country’s Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 contains regulations that make the possession and cultivation of cannabis illegal, with Class B drugs carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison if indicted. While Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have shown some progress in decriminalization and support for legalization, any changes to the drug laws would require approval from Westminster. Nonetheless, a majority of the population in the UK supports legalization.
