The UK parliament will debate legalizing marijuana next month after a petition received more than 200,000 signatures.
The petition, started by James Richard Owen, argues that legalizing cannabis could bring the UK £900 million in taxes, save £400 million in police resources and create some 10,000 new jobs.
The UK government issued a negative response to the news that the petition had reached its goal in a statement claiming that “substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health. There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities.”
Although data from the US isn’t yet substantial, early results are positive in states that have legalized cannabis. Violent crime in Washington and Colorado has declined; traffic deaths are down in Washington; and teen use of marijuana has dropped in Colorado.
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Photo Credit: Berit Watkin