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Why the UK Still Hasn't Legalised Cannabis: A Detailed Breakdown of Party Positions

Cannabis is increasingly being accepted by the global community, and many in the U.K. are asking themselves: “Why hasn’t the U.K. legalized cannabis?” Although the U.K. has seen an increase in acceptance of cannabis among the public, it still keeps cannabis illegal for recreational use. Below we will be looking into the stances of the four major political parties in the U.K. in 2025, and look at reasons why the legalization of cannabis has not taken place yet.

Changing Attitudes Among Brits

Support for legalizing cannabis for recreational use has grown significantly in the U.K. According to a 2020 YouGov poll, approximately 49% of Britons now believe the use of cannabis for adults should be legal. More countries around the world are beginning to legalize cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes. This has led to a large number of individuals and organizations calling upon the U.K. to follow suit. The problem lies with a lack of political movement to make the necessary changes to laws surrounding cannabis.

Positions of Major Parties

  1. Conservative Party

The Conservative Party is in opposition to the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes. In 2018, the Conservative Party did allow the sale of medicinal cannabis products to certain types of patients who had previously been unable to obtain them through traditional means. However, the Conservative Party continues to express concerns regarding the possible negative impacts on public health and safety related to the use of cannabis. They specifically worry about possible increases in mental health problems among youth and the negative impact on youth due to marijuana use.

  1. Labour Party

Although Labour does not currently support the legalization of cannabis, some of the party’s members do support revising or changing the current laws regarding cannabis. During his time as leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn stated that he wanted to decriminalize the possession of cannabis. However, this never became a reality. Currently, Labour is interested in reforming how cannabis users are treated in the U.K., however, they have not clearly expressed their support for full legalization.

  1. Liberal Democrat Party

The Liberal Democrats have always supported the full legalization of cannabis for recreational use. The Liberal Democrats believe that by regulating cannabis, they can create safer and more reliable sources of cannabis for adults; also, by creating regulated markets, they can cut down on the harms associated with the black market sales of cannabis.

  1. Scottish National Party (SNP)

The SNP has expressed willingness to reform cannabis laws in Scotland. However, the power to change drug laws falls under Westminster, therefore the SNP’s ability to change laws in Scotland concerning cannabis is severely limited. Therefore, the SNP has called for the decriminalization of cannabis in Scotland, but they have not supported full legalization of cannabis across the entire nation.

  1. Green Party

The Green Party is one of the most ardent supporters of full cannabis legalization. They believe that by allowing the sale of cannabis through regulated markets, they can greatly reduce the harms associated with the black market sales of cannabis. Also, the Green Party believes that regulated markets will allow those in need of medicinal cannabis easier access to it.

  1. U.K. Independence Party (UKIP)

Historically, UKIP has believed in giving individuals greater freedom, which includes the use of cannabis. However, the issue of cannabis legalization has not been a central focus for the party in recent years. As a result, UKIP has not been vocal in advocating for the full legalization of cannabis.

  1. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)

The DUP is strongly opposed to the legalization of cannabis. They are very conservative when it comes to drug policy. They believe that if the U.K. were to legalize cannabis, it would increase the risk to public health and safety. Specifically, they believe that cannabis should remain illegal, especially in Northern Ireland.

Why Hasn't the U.K. Fully Legalized Cannabis?

  1. Concerns Regarding Public Health and Safety
    Opposition to the full legalization of cannabis from parties such as the Conservative Party has centered on the fear of potential long-term mental health risks associated with cannabis use. Many studies have found a correlation between the use of cannabis and the development of psychotic episodes and other psychological disorders. Additionally, many opponents of cannabis legalization feel that the mental health of young people may be disproportionately affected. Therefore, public health and safety are major concerns that have prevented the U.K. from moving forward with the legalization of cannabis.
  2. Political Caution. The U.K. has historically been hesitant to reform drug laws. There are many politicians in the U.K. who are hesitant to move forward with the full legalization of cannabis, because they want to ensure that they are prepared for any potential societal implications of doing so.
  3. The Influence of Law Enforcement. Police departments throughout the U.K. have also spoken out against the full legalization of cannabis. They are concerned that full legalization would lead to an increase in crime, and that the regulation of cannabis would prove to be too difficult to accomplish. The stance of police departments represents a significant obstacle to the legalization of cannabis.
  4. International Agreements. The U.K. is a signatory to several international agreements, such as the United Nations Drug Conventions, that address drug control. These treaties have traditionally influenced the U.K.’s stance on cannabis, and thus represent a further impediment to the government considering legalization.

Conclusion

The legalization of cannabis in the U.K. is a topic of great controversy in 2025. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party strongly support the legalization of cannabis, while the Conservative Party is strongly opposed. The Labor Party has not fully endorsed legalization, however, there are elements of the party that are calling for reform. The combined factors of health concerns, political caution, and the influence of law enforcement have all contributed to the delay of the legalization of cannabis in the U.K.