Cannabis Legalization in the United Kingdom: 47% Support Selling Cannabis Through Licensed Stores, Survey Finds

01. 03. 2026

It turned out that the British are strictly against the legalization of any addictive substance, such as cannabis or synthetic marijuana.
Norman Lamb, however, argues that legalizing certain substances would limit the black market and bring in billions of pounds in taxes.

According to a public opinion survey by The Independent, there is strong support for legalizing cannabis sales through licensed stores.

What do the British think about legalization?

Approximately 47% of people supported this idea, while 39% oppose and 14% "don't know". The survey, conducted by polling company ORB, involved 2000 people.

The proposal was accepted by the Liberal Democrats after commissioning a study by experts who found that licensed cannabis sales to people over 18 in specialized stores could generate 1 billion pounds in tax revenue by eliminating marijuana dealers who profit from the black market.

The findings were welcomed as a breakthrough by drug law reform advocates, as they suggest that public support for such a change could grow if people understood the potential benefits.

Although the British government disagrees with loosening laws, a global political debate is growing about what critics call the "failed war on drugs". The United Nations General Assembly is hosting a special session on drugs this month.

ORB found that men (54%) are more likely to support licensed cannabis sales than women (43%). Support is higher among the top social class AB (50%), decreasing to 44% in the lower class DE. Support for the proposal is highest in Scotland (58%) and London (54%) and lowest in the Northeast (37%).

4 out of 10 people (41%) who voted in last year's general election retroactively support licensed cannabis sales, which is just below the support level of the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and UK Independence Party.

1 in 3 people (33%) believe drug possession should be decriminalized and restricted, while another 14% think cannabis should be legal and freely available. Again, men had a greater tendency than women to support reform.

Most people (53%) think cannabis sales and purchase should be illegal, despite the government reducing the plan to list it as "legal proceeds".

Surprisingly, 1 in 10 people (10%) think it should be illegal to buy or sell tobacco, while 7 out of 10 people believe tobacco should be legal and freely available.

ORB confidentially asked people if they had ever tried drugs. 3 in 10 people (31%) reported experience with cannabis. Approximately 11% have tried cocaine, while 10% mentioned ecstasy. About 7% tried LSD, 5% nitrous oxide, and 3% ketamine. The actual level of drug use could be higher, as previous surveys suggested people use them for personal needs.

Norman Lamb, former health minister who established the Lib Dems expert committee, said the ORB findings on licensed cannabis sales showed that the public strongly supports a ban despite catastrophic consequences.

"Introducing a legalized, regulated market would deprive organized crime of billions of pounds every year. This would protect human health much more effectively because you would know what you're buying – and effectiveness could be controlled. And it would stop the absurd criminalization of so many people – which then worsens their career and life chances."

Norman Lamb added: "Now I hope this vote will encourage the Prime Minister to reflect more since becoming Tory leader. He was once a reformer too. He should follow the lead of Justin Trudeau, the liberal Canadian Prime Minister, and commit to legislation to introduce a regulated cannabis market."

Professor David Nutt, jury member and former chair of the Drug Abuse Council, said respondents had a "rational attitude towards cannabis" but a somewhat worse attitude towards other drugs.

Danny Kushlick, head of external affairs at the Drug Policy Foundation, said: "Millions of us want the government to take control of the cannabis trade. Yet neither Jeremy Corbyn nor David Cameron will truly discuss regulation. Until and unless they are led on this issue, the drug trade will remain in the hands of organized criminals and unregulated traders."

Survey Results

Do you agree or disagree that cannabis could be legally sold in some licensed stores?

Agree: 47%

Disagree: 39%

Don't know: 14%

From the following list, which substances should be legal and freely available?

Alcohol: 83%

Tobacco: 70%

Cannabis "Skunk": 7%

Cannabis (other types): 14%

Ecstasy: 3%

Nitrous oxide: 7%

Heroin: 2%

Cocaine: 2%

Poppers: 9%

Mephedrone: 3%

LSD: 3%

Ketamine: 2%

Khat: 2%

Synthetic marijuana: 4%

DMT: 2%

Have you ever tried...?

Alcohol: 90%

Tobacco: 64%

Cannabis "Skunk": 15%

Other cannabis: 31%

Ecstasy: 10%

Nitrous oxide: 5%

Heroin: 1%

Cocaine: 11%

Poppers: 11%

Mephedrone: 2%

LSD: 7%

Ketamine: 3%

Khat: 1%

Synthetic marijuana: 1%

DMT: 1%

Author: Andrew Grice

Sources:
Andrew Grice @IndyPolitics. "Support Growing for Legalisation of Cannabis, Poll Reveals." The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 9 Apr. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/legalising-cannabis-47-support-sale-of-drug-through-licensed-shops-poll-reveals-a6976796.html.