Sadiq Khan Backs Partial Decriminalization of Cannabis in London Amid Calls for Reform

28 May 2025

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan walks through cannabis plants which are being legally cultivated at a licensed factory in Los Angeles (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has officially endorsed the partial decriminalization of cannabis possession, a move that has reignited national conversations around drug law reform in the UK. This announcement comes on the heels of a detailed and highly anticipated report from the London Drugs Commission, a panel Khan established in 2022 to assess the societal impact of current drug legislation, particularly with regard to cannabis use.

The commission, chaired by former Labor justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer KC, worked closely with researchers from University College London and consulted over 200 experts across the fields of policing, public health, addiction treatment, community activism, and law. Their primary conclusion was unequivocal: criminalizing the personal possession of natural cannabis is outdated, ineffective, and disproportionately harmful to marginalized communities, especially Black Londoners.

At the heart of the report is the assertion that stop-and-search powers often used to enforce cannabis laws are being applied unevenly across racial and socioeconomic lines. Data highlighted by the commission showed that young Black men in London are far more likely to be stopped and searched for suspected cannabis possession, despite similar usage rates across all ethnic groups. The practice, critics argue, has eroded trust in law enforcement and created a climate of fear and alienation in affected communities.

The report recommends that the possession of small amounts of natural cannabis for personal use should no longer be treated as a criminal offence. However, it draws a clear line: the recommendation does not apply to synthetic cannabinoids, which remain highly dangerous and unregulated. Moreover, the commission does not call for the legalization of cannabis production or sale, leaving the supply chain under criminal prohibition for the time being.

Mayor Khan, while stopping short of advocating for full legalization, has praised the report’s balance and evidence-based approach. “I’ve long said we need a new direction on drug policy,” Khan stated. “We must be honest that our current system does not work, and too many young people, particularly from minority backgrounds, are being unnecessarily criminalized for minor possession. This only creates more long-term harm.”

Khan emphasized that decriminalization would allow police resources to be reallocated toward more serious crimes, such as drug trafficking and violent offences, while also enabling more compassionate and practical responses to drug misuse. He also stressed the importance of overhauling the education system surrounding cannabis, calling for age-appropriate, fact-based drug education that includes mental health and addiction support.

Reactions have been divided. The Home Office issued a statement reaffirming that cannabis remains a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and emphasized that there are “no plans” to change its legal status. Government officials argue that cannabis use can lead to mental health issues, especially in younger users, and say the current classification is needed to discourage widespread use.

However, some prominent figures in law enforcement and public health have sided with Khan and the commission. Former Metropolitan Police commander Brian Paddick said, “We waste far too many resources prosecuting people for small amounts of cannabis. It damages lives and communities and takes away from more serious crime prevention.” Civil rights advocates echoed these sentiments, describing the current system as racially biased and outdated.

The London Drugs Commission also proposed a pilot program where individuals caught with small amounts of cannabis would be directed to educational or rehabilitative services instead of the criminal justice system. The goal is to shift the focus from punishment to harm reduction, mirroring successful models used in Portugal and parts of Canada.

Though the report has no legal authority to change laws drug policy is still controlled by the UK central government it has nonetheless intensified the national debate. With Sadiq Khan’s high-profile support and growing pressure from both public health officials and community activists, the question now is whether Parliament will begin to consider broader reforms to the UK's drug laws.

As the conversation continues, Khan’s stance marks a major shift in how cannabis possession may be treated in the UK’s capital, potentially setting the stage for future national policy changes.