The United Kingdom’s cannabis industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, driven primarily by the increasing acceptance and demand for medicinal cannabis products.
Despite the progress, the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal, raising questions about who is truly reaping the benefits of this booming market.
Here we will explore the current state of the UK’s cannabis industry, discuss the key players benefiting from its growth, and present a compelling argument for the legalization of recreational cannabis.
The Current State of the UK’s Cannabis Industry
The UK’s cannabis industry has seen remarkable expansion, with the market for medicinal cannabis alone estimated to be worth £1.3 billion by 2024.
Since the legalization of medicinal cannabis in 2018, the number of private prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines has skyrocketed, demonstrating the increasing public acceptance and demand for these products.
Despite this growth, recreational cannabis use remains illegal in the UK, with possession and distribution carrying significant penalties.
This dichotomy has created an environment where the cannabis industry is thriving, but only a select few are benefitting.
Major Beneficiaries of the UK’s Booming Cannabis Industry
The UK’s flourishing cannabis industry has brought significant financial gains for certain key players, including:
A. Pharmaceutical Companies: With the legalization of medicinal cannabis, pharmaceutical companies have enjoyed increased revenue from the sale of cannabis-based medicines.
Companies like GW Pharmaceuticals, which produces the CBD-based drug Epidiolex, have seen their profits soar as demand for medicinal cannabis products continues to rise. Meanwhile, members of the public are arrested on the street for using exactly the same plant.
B. Investors: The growth of the UK’s cannabis industry has attracted significant investment from both domestic and international investors.
As the market continues to expand, those who have invested in cannabis-related stocks and businesses stand to make substantial profits. Here are some examples:
Victoria Atkins: Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, and former UK drugs minister, Victoria Atkins, was reported to have recused herself from speaking on cannabis-related policy because her husband, Paul Kenward, is the managing director of British Sugar. The company has a license to grow non-psychoactive cannabis plants for use in producing the epilepsy drug Epidiolex.
Baroness Blackwood (Nicola Blackwood): A former Conservative MP and a member of the House of Lords, Baroness Blackwood was reported to have held shares in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (OCT), a UK-based medical cannabis research company.
C. Government: The UK government benefits from the taxes and fees associated with the regulated cannabis industry, particularly the medicinal market. Legalizing recreational use could generate even more revenue through taxation, similar to the experiences of US states like Colorado and California.
The Case for Legalizing Recreational Cannabis in the UK
Legalizing recreational cannabis in the UK would offer several benefits, including:
1. Economic Growth: A regulated recreational cannabis market could create thousands of jobs and generate substantial tax revenue for the government. The Institute of Economic Affairs estimates that legalizing cannabis could net the UK government up to £1 billion annually in tax revenue.
2. Public Health: Legalization would allow for better quality control and regulation of cannabis products, potentially reducing health risks associated with black market cannabis.
3. Criminal Justice: Legalizing recreational cannabis could reduce the burden on the criminal justice system, as police resources could be redirected to focus on more serious crimes. This would also help address the issue of racial disparities in cannabis-related arrests.
4. Social Equity: Legalizing recreational cannabis could create opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs, such as minority populations, to participate in and benefit from the growing industry.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Public Perception: Overcoming the deeply ingrained stigma surrounding cannabis use is likely to be a significant obstacle in the path to legalization.
The public’s perception of cannabis has been shaped by decades of negative propaganda, associating its use with criminality, addiction, and other social ills.
In order to shift this perception, it will be crucial to promote fact-based information, highlighting the potential benefits of regulated cannabis use, as well as addressing misconceptions and fears.
This may involve implementing public education campaigns, showcasing the experiences of countries that have successfully legalized cannabis, and engaging with community leaders and influencers to help reshape public opinion.
Regulatory Framework
The development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for the production, sale, and consumption of recreational cannabis is essential to ensure public safety and prevent abuse. This framework should address a variety of issues, including:
Licensing and Permits
A transparent and fair system for granting licenses and permits to cannabis businesses will be needed to ensure a level playing field and prevent monopolies or other market distortions.
Quality Control and Testing
Strict quality control and testing measures should be implemented to guarantee the safety and purity of cannabis products, protecting consumers from potential health risks associated with contaminants or improper labeling.
Advertising and Marketing
Regulations should be put in place to restrict the advertising and marketing of cannabis products, particularly targeting minors or promoting excessive use.
Taxation and Pricing
The government will need to establish an appropriate taxation and pricing structure to strike a balance between generating revenue and deterring black market sales.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Law enforcement agencies must be properly trained and equipped to handle the unique challenges associated with legal cannabis, such as driving under the influence, underage access, and potential increases in public consumption. Currently police in the UK seem unaware of the legality of medical cannabis.
International Relations
Legalizing recreational cannabis in the UK could potentially strain the country’s relations with nations that maintain strict anti-cannabis policies. This may result in diplomatic tensions, trade restrictions, or even travel limitations for UK citizens.
To mitigate these risks, the UK government should engage in proactive diplomacy, clearly communicating its rationale for legalization and emphasizing its commitment to responsible regulation.
Additionally, the UK could collaborate with other countries that have legalized or are considering legalizing cannabis to share best practices and develop common standards, ultimately fostering a more unified and cooperative international approach to cannabis policy.
Final thoughts
The UK’s cannabis industry is undoubtedly booming, but the benefits are currently limited to a select few.
Legalising recreational cannabis could help distribute these benefits more equitably and bring about significant economic, public health, and social advantages.
The Philip May conspiracy theory is false. It is has been endlessly repeated on the basis of zero evidence and it’s very diappointing that you haven’t looked into it properly before contributing to this misinformation.
https://peter-reynolds.co.uk/2022/01/04/the-crazy-conspiracy-theories-that-undermine-the-cannabis-campaign/
The UK medicinal cannabis industry is not the huge monolith that you suggest. GW Pharma is tiny in comparison to the big pharma companies and the unlicensed schedule 2 market is currently supplied entirely by imports.
I’m sorry but this is not an accurate analysis at all.
Thanks for the input Peter, I will look further into this.
I have removed Philip May from the article. Is this incorrect then?
https://www.4frontproject.org/post/cannabis-in-context-in-loving-memory-of-black-the-ripper
“Victoria Atkins was a leading figure against the regulation of cannabis whilst directly profiting from its production. Furthermore, Theresa May – who was the Prime Minister at the time – also benefits from the cannabis industry. Her husband, Phillip May, is the Relationship Manager for the Capital Group, who has a subsidiary company called Capital Research Management Company, that holds the majority of shares in GW Pharmaceuticals (Market Screener, 2020).”
Seems like legalizing medicinal use of cannabis is beneficial for the economy. Same here in Poland. The market has potential.