Petition · past parliament

Allow the British people to vote on cannabis legalisation

Closed 18,381 signatures

What the petition asks

This Government stands on the shoulders of the phrase "will of the people" it should therfore agree, that the only way to settle this long term debate, is to allow a people's vote on cannabis legalisation.

Join the campaign at Let Us Vote
on twitter and facebook
Uk biggest exporter of legal cannabis

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-44197038

Cannabis 114× less deadly than Alcohol

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/weed-is-114-times-less-deadly-than-alcohol-study-finds-10066496.html

Violent crime rate reduced in states that legalise cannabis

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/14/legal-marijuana-medical-use-crime-rate-plummets-us-study

Government response · 9 January 2019

This Government has no plans to legalise cannabis for recreational use, or to hold a vote on the legalisation of cannabis.

Cannabis is a Class B Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. There is a substantial body of scientific and medical evidence to show that controlled drugs, such as cannabis, are harmful and can damage people’s mental and physical health, and our wider communities. Evidence from the Government’s independent experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (“ACMD”), is that the use of cannabis is a ‘significant public health issue and can unquestionably cause harm to individuals and society’.

Given these harms, the Government does not intend on legalising the recreational use of cannabis and the penalties for unauthorised supply, possession and production will remain unchanged.

The legalisation of drugs in the UK would not eliminate the crime committed by the illicit trade nor would it address the harms associated with drug dependence and the misery this can cause to families and society. Legalisation of recreational use of cannabis would send the wrong message to the vast majority of people who do not take drugs, especially young and vulnerable people, with the potential grave risk of increased misuse of drugs.

Home Office

Timeline

19 Sep 2018 Petition opened for signatures
29 Dec 2018 Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response
9 Jan 2019 Government responded
19 Mar 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 18,381
Status Closed
Opened 19 Sep 2018
Closed 19 Mar 2019
Response 9 Jan 2019

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.