2 w. ago Voices: First Sadiq, now Andy will no one rid Keir Starmer of his turbulent mayors?

As the mayor of Greater Manchester proposes a ‘popular left programme’ – just days after the mayor of London defied Downing Street with a new plan for drugs law – is the prime minister under threat from colleagues with their own fiefdoms, asks John Rentoul

Politics

2 w. ago DR MAX PEMBERTON: Every day, I see the dreadful impact of cannabis

I hate cannabis because day in and day out I see the lives that it destroys. This is why it makes me so angry to hear the likes of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, recommend that it be partially decriminalised.

Politics

2 w. ago Worried about weed: should London follow New York and decriminalise cannabis?

Almost 25 years after an experiment was ditched to caution rather than arrest those carrying small amounts of the drug, a rethink is on the cards – but the British government remains cautiousThe last time London dabbled in decriminalising cannabis, it brought one part of the capital to a brief but giddy high. In 2001, an enterprising Scotland Yard borough commander empowered his officers in Lambeth to caution rather than arrest those carrying small amounts of the drug for personal use – freeing them, according to the scheme’s proponents, to concentrate on more serious crimes.The softly-softly approach was controversial in some political and policing quarters, but wildly popular in the borough – and some of its results were dramatic. Over six months, more than 2,500 hours of police officers’ time were saved on processing cannabis arrests, while arrests for dealing class A drugs rose by almost a fifth. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Should the UK decriminalise marijuana? London Standard readers answer

The London Standard’s readers vote on whether cannabis possession should be decriminalised

Events

3 w. ago Voices: What is Sadiq Khan really up to with his call to decriminalise cannabis?

Sadiq Khan has had an impressive run as mayor of London, writes Patrick Diamond – and his latest show of independence from Labour thinking could be an indicator of where his future lies within the party

Events

3 w. ago Sadiq Khan slapped down by Met Police chief and Labour ministers over his call to decriminalise cannabis

The London mayor backed a new report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC), which he set up in 2022.

Politics

3 w. ago Labour minister hits out at Sadiq Khan’s call for cannabis law reform

A Labour minister has rejected Sir Sadiq Khan’s calls for the partial decriminalisation of cannabis, stating that the government’s stance “remains unchanged”.

Politics

3 w. ago Met chief says decriminalising cannabis ‘not something we’re calling for’

Sir Mark Rowley’s comments came as the Mayor of London urged the Government to consider decriminalising possession of small amounts of cannabis.

Events

3 w. ago London Mayor Sadiq Khan says it’s ‘high time’ to decriminalise cannabis for ‘personal’ use

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says it’s ‘high time’ to decriminalise cannabis for ‘personal’ use  Mint

Events

3 w. ago Sadiq Khan backs calls to decriminalise some cannabis possession

Under current laws, cannabis is a class B drug and those found in possession face a fine or imprisonment

Events

3 w. ago Sadiq Khan calls for some decriminalisation of cannabis as new report claims 'compelling case'

The London mayor wants a loosening of the law on possession of small quantities

Events

3 w. ago Sadiq Khan calls for partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession

London Drugs Commission also found disproportionate use of stop-and-search powers in black communitiesSadiq Khan has backed calls for the partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession, as a wide-ranging study suggests the way the drug is policed causes greater harm to society than its usage.In particular, it found, the use of stop-and-search powers disproportionately affects black communities. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago London mayor backs report calling for cannabis decriminalisation

London mayor backs report calling for cannabis decriminalisation  BBC

Events

3 w. ago Case for decriminalising some cannabis possession ‘compelling’, Sadiq Khan says after London policing review

Sir Sadiq clashes with Met Police who insist drug peddling ‘drives and underpins’ gang violence across the capital

Events

3 w. ago Mayor: ‘Compelling’ case for decriminalising cannabis possession in London

Mayor: ‘Compelling’ case for decriminalising cannabis possession in London  London Evening Standard

Events

3 w. ago Personal use of small amounts of cannabis should be decriminalised, major report demands

Former Labour Justice Secretary Lord Charlie Falconer, who chaired the independent London Drugs Commission, called for 'a fundamental reset' in the way cannabis use is dealt with

Events

4 w. ago Thailand to crack down on cannabis after tourists allegedly caught smuggling drugs

Tourism in Thailand bloomed after it became the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis

Events