30 Comments

  1. It could be. I’m sure they’ve done some maths. The reason that it won’t be is written into the very question itself. If a product is available freely both legally and semi-legally, but one distribution channel has “9.5bn” pounds of tax in it, well, I don’t think they will collect all of that.

  2. Shame our government are so fkn blind to this tho, it’s just easier to fk us over with tax increases instead of doing what countless other countries have done and decriminalised something less harmful than alcohol.

  3. ZakalweTheChairmaker on

    Not happening any time soon. The majority of our politicians are not interested in evidence-based drug policy. The hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, psychoactive substance ethanol, which fuels the enzooification of high-streets up and down the country every weekend and is implicated in a large chunk of violent (particularly domestic) crime is so lightly regulated it’s not illegal to offer your 6-year-old a beer.

    But booze is the drug of choice (along with Columbian marching powder) of the ruling elite.

  4. It’s honestly pathetic that it’s still criminal to use it recreationally. Especially given the economic benefit it could bring. As well as taking revenue from organised gangs who grow it and deal it. It would free up valuable police resources too. Oh well. Fat fucking chance when this cunt doesn’t even want you smoking cigs in a beer garden.

  5. Legalise it only in one city that needs a tourism boom. So Wolverhampton or Milton Keynes. That way you can see how it goes and roll out further schemes.

  6. Far_Barracuda5410 on

    WOW. Last time I heard a number put towards this it was 1 Billion.

    For me it’s not just the tax but the jobs it could bring and we could finally establish our own strains and breed out the stink of skunk weed (volatile Phospurus compounds) but keep the nice terpenes that make it smell like lemons and sweets.

    I can only wish and dream. If I had the money Id have moved somehwere legal tbh

  7. Will never happen. Our current crop of politicians, across all parties, are cowards with respect to legalisation. Nobody wants to touch it despite public opinion being broadly in favour.

  8. True-Abalone-3380 on

    Would smoking weed have an exemption from the smoking ban, particularly with the drive towards a total ban on smoking in the country?

  9. Mad thing is it is legal, if you’ve got a bit of money to throw around you can get a private prescription for a long list of illnesses that can be debilitating. But honestly some are easy to fake.

    There are hoops but after that you’ve got a get out of jail free card for carrying it around, being found in possession etc. Only thing you can’t do (quite correctly) is drive impaired on it.

  10. FlaviusAgrippa94 on

    Never ever in a million years is cannabis legalization gonna happen under Kier Starmer. Starmer a man who is very much like the alcohol prohibitionists in America in the 1920s etc With regards to his views on weed. He genuinely sees cannabis as the root of all evil. Plus if Starmer was to legalize cannabis etc he’d basically be admitting that he’s wasted a large part of his life and career on prosecuting everything weed related..and he’s a very ego driven, status obsessed man, so he’s never going to do that. It will never ever in a billion years be legalized under Starmer. Notice how whenever anyone brings the subject up he just goes into dismissive, finger in ears law and order cop mode. He’ll ignore all evidence to his last breath. The guy is an idiot.

  11. Legalizing cannabis is desperately needed.

    At this point, I don’t see a difference between cannabis prohibitionists and deeply rooted racism, you’re basically self-reporting you’re scum.

  12. So I spend about 300 a month on the stuff.

    Since it’s illegal I give 300 in cash to some guy who does god knows what with that money.

    All I know is that money is now gone and is unclean. It used to be clean, taxed money. But now it is in the drawer of some less than reputable person.

    Had it been legal, that 300 would go to a business. Part would be VAT, part would go to rent (taxed), wages (taxed), utilities (taxed) and product (taxed).

    This is on top of the logistics and agriculture network that would grow the product and transport it. Creating many taxable jobs, some of which would be high skill.

    I am one man who spends over 3k a year on it and it just disappears into the void once I’ve handed it over. How many others are like me?

    It’s ludicrous that it isn’t legal yet. There is no argument that can be brought forward that will make me think £9bn a year isn’t worth it.

    And tbh I reckon it’s well higher than 9bn. I mean how much conclusion can you base on activity that is largely illegal to get that figure.

  13. Possible-Pin-8280 on

    I kind of hope they don’t legalise it. When I was in LA I just smelled weed all the time everywhere and it was pretty unpleasant.

  14. father-fluffybottom on

    Take organised criminals down a peg or two and raise so much money in taxes and tourism?

    You’re dreaming mate.

    It’s ILLEGAL.

  15. Gold_Replacement386 on

    I’m not a fan of legalisation but I am a believer in democracy and as it seems to be a very important topic to some people I say do a referendum.

  16. Own_Chocolate_6810 on

    The amount of construction work and maintenance contracts generated from legalising this industry would be immense for the UK .

  17. It makes me weep that it’s not legal, speaking as a recovering alcoholic. It’s criminal that it’s not legal.
    And strangely, where they legalise it, consumption drops.

  18. Can’t see it happening until boomers pass away, they are too ingrained with an anti marijuana bias as a consequence of prohibition. Stigma around cannabis is very very real, you’d be surprised. 

  19. If it becomes legalised,it will be big corporations who will make all the money .

    Wee Dave and wee Gaz and Tyrone will not be able to Hustle they will be cut out of the market. Is this a good thing? I think so (if it gets rid of the violence) county lines etc) , but on the other hand it might just means that wee Gaz and wee Dave and Tyrone will move into other illegal enterprises.

    If it is legalised, we should find a way to get wee Gaz et al into the legitimate market ,maybe weed loans etc so they can set up their little weed shops. These guys know the market and already have customers,let’s not pull the rug from under their feet .

  20. The only party with a hint of legalisation is the Greens and their proposals are laughably terrible.

  21. It’s already worth it if not more now what’s the difference you pay vat and taxes so 2b in exchange to increase the number of people addicted to it ?

  22. I did smoke the stuff in my youth, but came to realise it makes people lazy and stupid. Never touched it since.

    Legalising and taxing it is great for the economy and policing but I don’t think it is a good idea for the general public. Can you imagine the trouble it could cause for employers with staff calling in as they are too wasted to work.

    Maybe I am wrong, who knows for sure.

  23. I’m a medical user, I spend £200 a month on my prescription. The weed we get is crap, legalisation would increase the standards and reduce the price for medical as well as increase the safety of street weed. Less shit mixed in, and no fibreglass in your bud

  24. ScientistArtistic917 on

    It’s ridiculous that vast sums of money is going into the black market. It’s bloomin everywhere I go, I smell it every day. Regulate it and get young people out of range of criminal enterprises