Should cannabis be legalised?

Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in the UK under the Misuse of Drugs Act, with possession potentially leading to criminal penalties, while medical cannabis has been legal since 2018 but access is tightly restricted. Over three million adults use it recreationally each year, sustaining a large illicit market estimated in the billions that funds criminal gangs. Pressure for reform has grown in 2026, with campaigns for regulated pilots, Green Party advocacy, and figures like Andy Burnham linked to potential local moves toward legalisation.