Top policeman says cannabis ‘should be sold in UK off-licences’ A senior policeman has claimed making cannabis illegal is “illogical” – adding he would like to see it being sold […]

A senior policeman has claimed making cannabis illegal is “illogical” – adding he would like to see it being sold in retailers like off-licences.

Arfon Jones, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said the drug was “far less harmful” than alcohol and it doesn’t make sense for one to be legal and not the other.

He also suggested hard drugs such as cocaine should be made available on prescription.

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Responsible retailers

“I want to see drugs controlled and sold by responsible retailers similar to off-licences that sell alcohol,” said Mr Jones.

“I don’t see a difference between the use of alcohol and the use of cannabis.

“If we went back to day one, and we were legislating this again I’m sure people would realise that alcohol causes a lot more harm than cannabis does and I think the categorisation would reflect that.”

According to a poll last year, nearly half of people in the UK back the legalisation of cannabis.

The survey by ORB found that, of the 2,000 people surveyed, 47 per cent now back legalising cannabis for sale through licensed shops.

‘We are where we are’

Another study, commissioned by the Liberal democrats, showed that the UK economy would be approximately £1 billion better off per year if cannabis were to be decriminalised.

In the run up to the 2017 General Election, the Liberal Democrats announced the legalisation of cannabis as one of their flagship policies – thrusting it back into the public sphere.

Mr. Jones expressed exasperation at the government’s staunch refusal to debate the topic, stating: “We are where we are.

“Alcohol is legal and cannabis is illegal and it is illogical to have it like that.”

The issue of decriminalisation was last debated on October 12, 2015, and closed after the government responded by saying: “Substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health.”