By Harvey McKinnon

There is no doubting the social, medicinal and economic benefits that will come from the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis. It could be said that even the prospect of smoking openly without the prospect of intimidation is sufficient benefit in itself.

Already we have seen 21 states in America legalise marijuana for medical use (Maryland being the latest). Washington and Colorado have signed off on recreational use as well, and Uruguay had opted for full legalisation. The UK on the other hand does not even entertain the prospect of partial decriminisation even though the drug Sativex is a cannabis plant extract. Currently available on prescription in the UK, Sativex costs £375 for three 90-dose bottles, which is £125 per bottle, as opposed to $21 in the US. If it were legalised medically, the cost would reduce dramatically as more treatments would be allowed into the country and we could develop better, cheaper alternatives ourselves.

Recreational legalisation, on the other hand, could bring more than just economic stability, but also the option of open and regulated experimentation on particular seeds and combinations of seeds. Having said that it is also true that there are those whose cannabis use prevents them from making any tangible contribution to society or the state coffers. Often labelled as ‘lazy stoners’ one can understand how their stereotype could be extended to all those who use cannabis.

From my own perspective. I’m not going to stop buying, smoking and enjoying bud even if it remains illegal even though there are those who have reservations even though it would benefit their health and ease the burden on the NHS. Again this could be perceived as being prescriptive but that is not my intention. In essence we all need to ask ourselves what it all means to us, what we can do to raise awareness because as cliché as it sounds, it does take an effort from everyone working together in union to do something. Even if it is joining the local cannabis club, reading more articles or just making the people directly around you more aware because helping each other for mutual gains and progression in society can only yield positive results. That is why I wanted to write this article because I was given an opportunity to do something that could make a change, even if it is just to one person, even if it’s just to me. Word of mouth is the key. So anyone reading this, think about how you can take action, whether it is monumental or simple and try and work together to achieve something positive in this country.