The United Kingdom (UK) has some of the strictest cannabis laws in Europe. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2018, but it remains illegal to possess, distribute, sell, or grow recreational cannabis in the UK.
Legalization Status of Cannabis in the UK
Anyone who is discovered with marijuana risks up to a maximum of five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. If someone is convicted of producing and supplying cannabis, that number jumps up to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.
Photo by Yangki Suara on Unsplash
This is bad news for anyone looking to toke up in the UK; the laws are very strict. Moreover, medical marijuana isn’t an easy prescription to receive. In most cases, the patient needs to have tried at least two other prescriptions first. In addition, the legalization of recreational marijuana is not on the horizon.
Penalties for the Personal Use of Cannabis are Usually Less Severe
However, people can usually get away with a warning or a small fine for little amounts of cannabis. As long as the stash weighs less than an ounce and is determined to be for personal use, the penalties should be minimal. That being said, it’s not recommended to do this.
Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash
Instead, try CBD. CBD oil is legal in the UK, as long as it is not sold or marketed as a medicine and contains less than one milligram per container.
Despite Harsh Bans on Recreational Cannabis, the UK Exports More Cannabis Than Any Other Country
Despite the relatively harsh stance the UK takes against recreational marijuana, the UK remains the world’s largest exporter of legal cannabis. In 2016, the UK produced 95 tons of marijuana, which accounted for 45% of all cannabis production in the world.
The London-based analysts, Prohibition Partners, estimated that the recreational cannabis market in Europe will be worth £106bn by 2028.
Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash
Public Outrage Led to the Legalization of Medical Cannabis
In some cases, marijuana can save lives. The UK legalized the use of medical marijuana when two epileptic children were seen benefitting from using cannabis. Their case brought increased public attention to the issue.
In 2018, the children were not able to continue using cannabis treatment. In fact, one of the children was hospitalized with life-threatening seizures after authorities seized their cannabis medicine. The consequent outrage led to new policies.
In July 2018, Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced that cannabis medicines would be made legal for patients with an “exceptional clinical need.” The new law officially came into effect on November 1, 2018.
More Content
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BACKWOODS AND HIP-HOP
TERPENES FOR ANXIETY: 3 TERPS IN CANNABIS WITH STRESS-RELIEVING PROPERTIES
RAPPER WEED: WHICH RAPPERS HAVE CANNABIS PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET? WHO ACTUALLY HAS THE FIRE?
18 COMPANIES THAT DON’T DRUG TEST THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR WEED
7 TIPS FOR MARKETING CANNABIS AND CBD ON TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM
