Cannabis in the United Kingdom
Cannabis is an illegal drug in the United Kingdom, but it is still very widely used.
Usage
Cannabis is widely used throughout the United Kingdom, by people of all ages and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Its use is particularly pronounced among teenagers be it those adhering to alternative culture (e.g. goth, punk, indie, rock), or drum and bass/jungle ravers, or in one of many other groups exposed to a common youth culture as depicted by popular tv series such as Skins.
Cannabis is often linked to young people beginning to smoke tobacco, unlike in North America, cannabis is often smoked with tobacco. This claim is often disputed however due to the frequency of smoking needed to actually get someone addicted to the nicotine in tobacco. As well as the use of tobacco when smoking cannabis, many people in Britain use a 'roach card' rather than rolling cannabis throughout, a custom not unique to the United Kingdom but far more common than in places such as America.
Location
Some liberal or bohemian areas of major cities are associated with cannabis use:
In London, these include Brixton, Stockwell, Camden Town, Queen's Crescent, Ladbroke Grove,New Cross, Lewisham Peckham and Camberwell.
In Manchester, the Northern Quarter, Cheetham Hill, Oldham and Fallowfield are known for the ease of availability of the drug. Near to Manchester, the town of Bolton is particularly well known for the ease to obtain Cannabis in multiple forms.
Cannabis ranges in price across the country. Although generally deemed to be around £20 for an 'eighth' (of an ounce; 3.5g) in actuality the amount given can be a lot less, in many places by around a gram so that £20 would only buy (2.5g). These discrepancies tend to decrease as the nominal amount increases, acting as a 'bulk discount' reflecting economies of scale. Also in the cannabis market, inflation tends to reduce the quantity of cannabis that can be purchased for a set price, rather than increase the nominal price of a set quantity ('bag') of cannabis. However, there is a growing acceptance amongst consumers that higher-potency chronic will be sold at smaller weights - sometimes less than 2g for £20.
The Law
Cannabis is illegal to possess, grow, distribute and sell for medical and recreational purposes. It is a Class B drug but police tend to not focus on cannabis very often and will very rarely arrest someone for possession, although they will confiscate the drug. A Class B drug means that you can get up 15 years in prison for the distribution.
See also
- Adult lifetime cannabis use by country
- Annual cannabis use by country
- List of drugs illegal in the United Kingdom
- List of British politicians who admit to cannabis use
References