The first-ever London Drugs Commission is to be established by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to examine the effectiveness of drug laws in relation to cannabis.
The new Commission will gather evidence from around the world on different approaches to cannabis policy. This will include the best methods of prevention, the most effective criminal justice responses and the public health benefits of these different approaches.
It will be comprised of independent experts and leading figures from criminal justice, public health, politics, community relations and academia, and former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Lord Charlie Falconer QC will act as chair.
London is currently plagued with drug-related crime, with an approximate 56,000 reported drug offences in 2020/21. Most of these drug crimes consisted of possession offences.
The city is already considering a diversion pilot scheme to help reduce drug-related crime that will see the temporary suspension of arrests of 18 to 24-year-olds for the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
Read more: London to trial new diversion pilot for cannabis possession
To help inform understanding of different approaches, Khan is now on a fact finding mission to LA to understand more about an international evidence-based approach to reducing drug related harm in the capital.
Ina statement, Khan commented: “The illegal drugs trade causes huge damage to our society and we need to do more to tackle this epidemic and further the debate around our drugs laws. That’s why I am here today in LA to see first-hand the approach they have taken to cannabis.
“We must learn from others when considering our approach, and by examining the latest evidence from around the world and the world-class research from UCL, Lord Falconer and the will make recommendations to improve our approach to cannabis to help tackle drug related crime, protect Londoners’ health and reduce the huge damage that illegal drugs cause to our communities.”
Read more: Transforming London’s cannabis expertise into a world-leading industry
Since legalising cannabis in 2016, LA has seen a drastic reduction in drug-related crime – with cannabis arrests falling by 56 per cent. Felony arrests for cannabis fell by 74 per cent to 2,086 in 2017 from 7,949 in 2016.
On his trip, the Mayor is visiting a cannabis dispensary and cultivation facility and meeting a representative from the LAPD, policy and health experts, cannabis growers and senior government officials, to find out more about the city’s approach.
“The decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis offers historically marginalised communities opportunities for healing, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation in this growing industry,” said Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti. “Cities have so much to learn from one another, and I applaud Mayor Khan’s thoughtful approach as London moves forward.”
Khan’s progressive approach to exploring cannabis policy is in keeping with public opinion, as recent YouGov surveys revealed that 52 per cent of UK citizens say they would support the legalisation of cannabis in the country, and six in ten (63 per cent) Londoners expressed support for the proposed diversion pilot.
Read more: It is time for London to pilot a legal cannabis industry
Katya Kowalski, head of operations at Volteface, which produced the consultancy report into the negative impacts of low-level drug offences for the pilot, commented: “It’s really positive to see such an evidence based approach taking place by the Mayor of London. Khan has already come out in favour of reform, seeing a proactive, structured approach to assessing policy reform is fantastic. It is very clear that our current cannabis laws are not fit for purpose. I think the set up of this Commission demonstrates and highlights this realisation.
“The desire for drug reform is being increasingly more apparent. The majority of the UK is in support of cannabis legalisation, with even higher figures in the capital. Public and popular opinion is already there. I see this Commission as a starting point to examine how we go about legalising cannabis, taking an evidence base approach.
“I think going forward, it is essential we follow the evidence and learn from jurisdictions which have already legalised around what is working and what is not. It is no longer about whether we change our cannabis laws but how we go about doing it. I hope the Commission brings a multifaceted approach and model to the table, encompassing public health considerations and the protection of young people.”
The London Cannabis Commission, chaired by Hamish Stewart, has already recommended that London pilots a legal cannabis industry to dampen violence and provide resources to reinvest into youth services and training, arguing that keeping cannabis illegal for retail users entrenches racial inequalities.
Read more: Time to formalise London’s cannabis supply chains
In a previous statement to Cannabis Wealth, Stewart commented: “There is nowhere to go but up, and London and other UK cities can really build on the international experience of Canada, the US, New York State and a whole number of other jurisdictions which already have decriminalised for the legal cannabis market. And so, this is really about the start of a very rapid catching-up process.”
A recent report produced by national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law in the UK, Release, has also laid out cannabis social equity principles for a legal UK industry, which builds on the organisation’s national research that highlights the disproportionate policing relating to cannabis of ethnic minority and other disadvantaged groups.
The report outlines 14 principles for reform, including removing criminal or civil sanctions for use or possession of cannabis, automatic release from prison for cannabis-related prisoners and expungement of past cannabis-related convictions, personal cultivation of cannabis and co-operative cannabis distribution models such as social clubs.
Read more: New report lays out cannabis social equity principles for UK
University College London (UCL) has been appointed to the Commission in order to provide world-class evidence-based research and assessment on the criminal justice, health and economic implications for any potential change in policy.
Ben Bradford, Institute for Global City Policing at UCL, commented: “This opportunity to work in partnership with the London Drugs Commission to review and develop evidence regarding the implications of drug laws both here and around the world is hugely welcome.
“I look forward to working with Lord Falconer and the Commission to inform debate across the range of issues it will consider, ensuring that high quality evidence lies at the heart of its conclusions and recommendations.”
Lord Charlie Falconer QC said: “I’m honoured to have been appointed chair of the London Drugs Commission. It is a real opportunity for there to be a thorough look at the effectiveness of our drugs laws and policy on cannabis.
“We need rigorously to identify what is the best approach to reduce harm to our communities. A national debate is long overdue. We aim to make recommendations to bring about effective and lasting change.”
Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, added: “It’s vital that we do everything we can to reduce the harm and misery caused by the illegal drugs industry in London.
“That’s why the London Drugs Commission will examine the effectiveness of our drug laws on cannabis, and under Lord Charlie Falconer QC will make recommendations that will help criminal justice and health bodies consider how best to improve the situation for Londoners.”
Following its work, the London Drugs Commission will make a series of policy recommendations for City Hall, the Government, the police, the criminal justice system and public health services. Further members of the London Drugs Commission will be announced this summer.
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