Sadiq Khan told to drop cannabis and tackle violent crime

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan should tackle violent crime in the capital instead of pushing for the decriminalisation of cannabis, according to former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. Sir Iain is alarmed at the impact of legalisation of the drug in New York and claims there now a “persistent smog of cannabis across Manhattan”.

He opposes the London Drugs Commission’s push for partial decriminalisation. Sir Iain insists the drug is a “harmful and addictive substance, linked to mental health problems from anxiety and depression to psychosis and schizophrenia”.

The commission’s own report found that while most users suffered no adverse consequences “at least 10% risk developing associated difficulties of some kind”. In some cases these are “very significant” psychiatric, physical or societal problems including “a failure to engage productively or at all with education or work, or to sustain interpersonal relationships”.

It also acknowledged drug treatment services are “overwhelmed” and “in no position to deal with any rise in demand that legalising cannabis may create”.

Sir Iain, a former Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “The Mayor of London needs to stop these stupid diversions from his purpose as Mayor and do what Londoners want, get violent crime in London under control.”

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a think tank founded by Sir Iain, warned last year that the UK faces “a drug addiction crisis of unprecedented proportions, with drug poisoning deaths reaching a record 5,448 in 2023” – an “84% increase over the past decade”. It reported that “two thirds (66%) of police officers think cannabis is, to all intents and purposes, fully or partially decriminalised in practice”.

Sir Iain was alarmed by the findings of a CSJ research team which visited the United States and witnessed “devastation”. In New York, where adults aged 21-plus can smoke or vape cannabis in most places where tobacco smoking is permitted, they witnessed “crack dealing happening in broad day light in front of our eyes”.

The legalisation of cannabis has not eliminated the “illicit market”, Sir Iain added, saying “old illegal dealers” deliver “much stronger stuff”.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said: “The London Drugs Commission report makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis. Sadiq is clear that this is an opportunity to deal with the concerns raised in this study as a public health issue and start a national debate – from the clear need for better education on the risks and uses of cannabis, to the disproportionate impact cannabis-related stop and searches are having on the Black communities in London and across the country.

“We will now be studying these recommendations carefully and sharing the report’s findings with relevant parties, including local authorities, government, the Met police and NHS London and other health and education partners to build a safer and fairer London for all.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.

“The government has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.”