This is how the Lib Dems would legalise cannabis

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Sales of cannabis to over-18s in the UK should be legalised and "social clubs" should be established to sell it, the Liberal Democrats have said.

The party has backed a study that argues cannabis can't be eliminated by a "total ban" and that it should, instead, be regulated. The report, A framework for a regulated market for cannabis in the UK, puts forward a number of suggestions for how drug policy should be updated:

Although backed by the Liberal Democrats the report's authors were independently selected for their work in public health, substance abuse and law enforcement. The group did not include or consider medical uses of cannabis in the report. They concluded: "The UK's current laws on drugs are both outdated and harmful."

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How would cannabis be produced?

The report said that legal cannabis could be produced in three different ways. Home growth would be allowed in an attempt to stop "larger scale, informal, unlicensed production and sale for profit". The authors explained there would be a limit on the number of plants per person or household, with enforceable penalties for anyone exceeding it.

Cannabis social clubs, which already exist in Spain and Uruguay, could also produce cannabis for vetted members of the groups. The most significant means of legal cannabis production, the report claimed, would be through a licensed retail market. "The Cannabis Regulatory Authority would license the production of a fixed volume of specified products from each licensee," the authors wrote. "This volume would be flexible and subject to review in light of changing market demand." Licenses would be granted to individual retailers.

How would it be sold?

Cannabis should be sold in plain packaging, according to the report. This would include "standardised non-branded designs along the lines of prescription pharmaceuticals". The packaging should promote healthy living and be childproof, the report said.

If cannabis were sold legally in the UK its cost would initially be controlled by the government, as it would "avoid unpredictable impacts of dramatic price changes". The regulating authority would control the prices of cannabis and "two-for-one deals" would not be allowed. The prices set for legal cannabis would be similar to the illegal price.

Those selling the drug would be required to ask customers if they have used the drug before and if they would like any more information about it, the report said. Taxes collected from legal cannabis sales in the UK are estimated at between £500 million to £1 billion annually.

What would the limits be?

While those growing the drug would be limited to four plants, there would be other limits and regulations put in place. These include how much can be purchased at one time. Users and retailers that go over the limits would receive "appropriate and proportionate sanctions and penalties". The authors say the penalties should be in line with those of the illegal production and sale of alcohol and tobacco.

Driving while taking cannabis wouldn't be made legal. It's currently illegal to drive under the influence of the drug and the authors said it was "simple and clear" that people shouldn't be driving if they are "significantly impaired by cannabis".

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Will it happen?

While the report was produced by a panel of appointed experts it is highly unlikely that the government will consider its proposals.

In 2015 more than 200,000 people signed a petition demanding the government legalise cannabis. In its official response the government said "substantial scientific evidence" had shown cannabis was a "harmful drug" that can damage human health. "There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities," the government said.

While still illegal in the UK, laws against cannabis are being relaxed elsewhere. Ireland is moving towards decriminalising substances including cannabis, heroin and cocaine; up to 22 grams of cannabis can be carried in Colombia; 15 grams in Norway; and growing up to four plants in Switzerland is allowed. Portugal decriminalised the use of all drugs in 2001 and reports claim that hardly anyone now dies from overdoses.

In the US the drug remains illegal under federal law but four states, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, have permitted it for recreational use. In total 18 other US states allow sales for medicinal use. However, according to the New York Times, the drug still remains tangled in paperwork and taxation.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK