In the United Kingdom, as in many other nations, the relationship with substance use and regulation is complex and often paradoxical.
On one side of the spectrum, alcohol, a substance with well-documented health risks, is not only legal but also deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric.
On the other side, cannabis, a substance that has been shown to have potential health benefits and arguably fewer risks, is classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, making its use and distribution illegal.
Let us examine the paradoxical nature of these regulations, arguing that the current laws reflect a societal bias that may be more harmful than beneficial.
Alcohol: A Cultural Norm with Significant Health Risks
Alcohol is ubiquitous in the UK. Pubs, liquor stores, and alcohol-serving establishments are found on every corner, in every city, town, and village. At least, the ones that managed to remain open over the last few years.
It is celebrated as a social lubricant, a rite of passage, and a symbol of hospitality. Alcohol is often at the center of social gatherings, celebrations, and even business meetings. It is so deeply embedded in the culture that abstaining from alcohol can sometimes lead to social exclusion.
However, a January 2023 document “Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report,” suggests that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption.
A 2018 Lancet study came to similar conclusions:
The widely held view of the health benefits of alcohol needs revising, particularly as improved methods and analyses continue to show how much alcohol use contributes to global death and disability. Our results show that the safest level of drinking is none.
Alcohol is linked to numerous health issues, including liver disease, heart disease, and various types of cancer. It is also associated with social problems, such as violence and accidents.
The World Health Organization has identified alcohol as a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions.
Despite these risks, alcohol remains legal and widely accepted. The societal costs of alcohol misuse are significant, including healthcare costs, crime, and lost productivity, yet these are often overlooked in public discourse.
Cannabis: A Demonised Substance with Potential Health Benefits
In stark contrast, cannabis, despite mounting evidence of its potential health benefits, remains illegal in the UK.
Research has shown that cannabis may have therapeutic effects for numerous conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
Despite this, the use, possession, and distribution of cannabis can result in severe legal penalties.
The Paradox of Substance Regulation
The stark contrast between the regulation of alcohol and cannabis in the UK is paradoxical. It raises questions about the principles guiding substance regulation.
If public health is a primary concern, why is a harmful substance like alcohol legal and even celebrated, while a potentially beneficial one like cannabis is criminalised?
This discrepancy suggests that the current laws may be more reflective of societal biases and historical attitudes than of objective assessments of harm and benefit. We know this to be true.
The Societal Implications
The current state of substance regulation in the UK has significant societal implications. It perpetuates a culture that tolerates and even encourages the use of a harmful substance while stigmatising and penalising the use of a less harmful one.
This not only undermines public health but also infringes on individual freedoms. In a democratic society, adults should have the right to make informed decisions about their substance use. By denying people the choice to use cannabis, the UK is arguably failing to uphold this democratic principle.
The criminalization of cannabis use disproportionately affects certain segments of the population, contributing to social inequality.
It also fuels a black market, which is associated with crime and violence, and diverts law enforcement resources from other much needed areas.
This also prevents the establishment of a genuine open regulated market that could ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products, generate tax revenue, and create many thousands of jobs.
The Case for Reform
Given these issues, there is a strong case for reforming the UK’s substance regulation laws. Such reform should be guided by scientific evidence, public health principles, and democratic values.
It should aim to reduce the harms associated with substance use, promote individual freedoms, and address social inequalities.
A key aspect of this reform could be the decriminalisation or legalisation of cannabis. This would allow for the regulation of cannabis products, ensuring their safety and quality. It would also eliminate the harms associated with criminalisation.
Such changes would uphold the democratic principle of allowing adults to make informed decisions about their own personal substance use.
At the same time, there is a need for a more balanced approach to alcohol regulation.
This could involve stricter controls on the availability and marketing of alcohol, higher taxes on alcoholic beverages, and more effective public education about the risks of alcohol use.
Such measures could help to reduce the harms associated with alcohol use and shift societal attitudes towards a less alcohol-centric culture.
The UK is in dire need of political leadership
In conclusion, the current alcohol and cannabis laws in the UK present a paradox that is difficult to justify from a public health or democratic perspective.
It is well beyond time for policymakers to reassess these archaic laws in light of current scientific evidence and societal values.
A shift in direction towards a more balanced, evidence-based approach to substance regulation could promote public health, uphold individual freedoms, and reflect a truly democratic society, as opposed to a drunk, dangerous, police state.
The current paradox of substance regulation in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the need for ongoing dialogue, research, and reform in the realm of substance use and regulation.
