Petition · past parliament
Legalize cannabis for recreational and medical use across the English islands
Rejected
15 signatures
What the petition asks
Cannabis should be legalised to bring the UK up to speed with a growing number of Western countries and end the "embarrassment" of domestic drugs policy.
It comes as Germany gets ready to legalise cannabis for medical purposes and Canada prepares for all-out decriminalisation.
It is thought a legal cannabis market could be worth £6.8 billion to the economy annually, potentially netting between £750 million and £1.05 billion in tax revenues and reduced criminal justice costs.
The number of offenders in prison for cannabis-related offences in England and Wales would also likely drop from the current 1,363, who cost taxpayers £50 million a year.
It is thought a legal cannabis market could be worth £6.8 billion to the economy annually, potentially netting between £750 million and £1.05 billion in tax revenues and reduced criminal justice costs.
The number of offenders in prison for cannabis-related offences in England and Wales would also likely drop from the current 1,363, who cost taxpayers £50 million a year.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 21 Nov 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Nov 2016 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
15
Status
Rejected
Rejected
25 Nov 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.