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UK Cannabis Legalization Could Generate £9.5 Billion Per Year by Johnny Green

Legalizing cannabis for adult use in the United Kingdom and taxing and regulating sales could generate as much as £9.5 billion per year according to a new analysis published by CLEAR. CLEAR is a cannabis reform advocacy organization based in the UK.

“Overall the net benefit to the taxpayer of a taxed and regulated cannabis market could range from £3.4 Billion to £9.5 Billion per annum, with a best estimate of £6.7 Billion per year at recent market levels.” the organization stated.

The market projection is part of a recently published analysis by CLEAR titled, ‘How to Regulate Cannabis in Britain.’ The recently published analysis is the third version of the organization’s plan, with the first version being published on September 12th, 2011, and the second version being published on October 18th, 2013.

“The plan is predicated on the fact that the prohibition of cannabis provides no control whatsoever over this multi-billion-pound market. Present policy is, in fact, an abdication of responsibility by government to organised crime.” CLEAR stated in its analysis.

CLEAR is proposing, among other things, the creation of an “inspectorate as an executive agency of government to include a head office, 10 analysis laboratories, 10 bonded warehouses, 10 regional offices, 100 local offices with a total of 2620 staff and an annual budget of around £200 million.”

“Wholesale distribution and retail licensing would be based on the tobacco/alcohol model. Licences would only be granted to a “fit and proper” person or company. Previous nonviolent cannabis convictions would not disqualify an applicant. There would be a duty of responsibility on retailers not to supply to someone obviously intoxicated on cannabis or any other substance. A limit of 10 grams per transaction could be considered although there is currently no limit on sales of alcohol which is a very much more dangerous drug. Sales would be to adults only and ID would be required if there was any doubt of the customer’s age.” CLEAR stated about its proposed regulated sales model.

In addition to legalized sales, CLEAR is also proposing the legalization of ‘cannabis cafes’ and ‘cannabis social clubs,’ as well as permitting adults to cultivate up to three plants ‘under artificial lighting’ and another three plants ‘under natural light.’

“Alternatively, without artificial lighting, a total of six plants under natural light. Also included would be a separate propagation area for cuttings and seedlings of up to one square metre.” CLEAR stated in its report.

This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission.

Photo by Alaur Rahman (Cropped and flipped by C&TT)

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