On Thursday 4th July 2024, adults over the age of 18 who are registered to vote will go to the ballot boxes and decide which party will form a majority government and run the country.
Prior to each election, parties outline their plans in a manifesto, a published document which details the party’s plans should they take charge of parliament. While leadership usually falls to one party, and is normally a race between Labour and The Conservatives, the 2024 General Election is predicted to be full of surprises. Current polling suggests the leaders of the opposition might not be one of the traditional ‘big two’ parties, and a hung parliament leading to a coalition isn’t entirely impossible.
Most parties have some form of policy when it comes to drugs, specifically cannabis. For some, cannabis reform has always been a priority, while for others, the messages are mixed. What do the manifestos say?
The Labour Party
As the leaders of the opposition for the last 14 years, the Labour Party’s stance on cannabis reform has been mixed. Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has on record stated that he doesn’t believe cannabis should be legal, but has also expressed support for decriminalisation.
Unfortunately, the 2024 election manifesto from Labour doesn’t mention cannabis in any form. In fact, the manifesto is light on any sensible drug policy reform.
The Conservative Party
As The Conservative party desperately lurches further to the right, its manifesto fails to mention cannabis at all. The party promises very little on progressive drug policy other than a vague promise to increase funding for rehabilitation. Those who wish for cannabis reform would be wisers rolling up their ballot paper and smoking it than voting Tory.
The Liberal Democrats
The Lib Dems have long held the view that current approaches to drugs do not work. Encouragingly, the 2024 manifesto reiterates this stance, promising to make drugs in general a public health policy. This will improve support for people with substance use problems, free up police resources and prioritise the Scottish drug death crisis.
The Liberal Democrats outline plans in their manifesto to legalise cannabis too. Offering a promise to create a legal, regulated market for over-18s.
While this sounds encouraging, it’s disappointing to see a reference to ‘skunk’ – a long outdated term to refer to high-THC cannabis. There is also a mention of potency limits, which are notoriously hard to enact. Still, it’s promising to see a progressive attitude to cannabis legalisation which could open up an exciting new legal market in the UK. With a Lib Dem policy to return to the EU, we could see the UK aligning with the policies of Germany if they gain power.
The Green Party
Historically, The Green Party has always supported cannabis reform, and it has the most progressive approach to drug policy of all the 2024 manifestos.
The Greens pledge to decriminalise all drugs for possession, echoing the hugely successful policies of Portugal. The party promises an “evidence-based approach to reform of the UK’s counterproductive drug laws. This will allow the UK to move towards a legally regulated market that stops criminal supply and profiteering, and that reduces harm including by preventing children accessing drugs.”
This is a broader policy when compared to the party’s last published manifesto, which mentioned specific approaches to cannabis in particular. This isn’t too concerning however, the Greens still have a comprehensive drug reform policy with support for home growing, cannabis social clubs and a legal regulated market. More recently, they’ve elected a new leader, Zack Polanski, who has been vocal about legalising cannabis.
SNP
Scotland has some of the highest drug death rates in Europe, so naturally, the Scottish National Party doesn’t shy away from bold policies when it comes to drug reform.
When it comes to cannabis and drugs in general, The SNP has for some time promised to pursue a policy of decriminalisation in the interest of public health. The 2024 manifesto reaffirms this, stating that the party will “tackle the drugs death crisis by taking a radical public health approach; decriminalising drugs for personal use.”
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru is the party for Wales, and is looking to gain more seats in the Houses Of Parliament at the forthcoming election to better represent the interests of Welsh voters and press for more power for the nation.
In its 2024 manifesto, it outlines a refreshing public health approach to drugs, proposing a review of drug policy and drug policing, with a broad view to decriminalising drug possession.
The party also suggests people with drug possession charges where “there are no further aggregating factors” should have their criminal records wiped clean.
Other parties
The right-wing anti-immigration Party Reform is having a moment in the spotlight thanks to perpetual milkshake target Nigel Farage. Not surprisingly, a party mostly made up of knuckle-dragging halfwits wants to send us back to the dark ages when it comes to drug policy too, promising a crackdown on all substances, including cannabis. Mandatory life sentences for your local plug and a new offence of Substantial Possession of Drugs for those with a bit more than personal? No thanks lads.
The Social and Democratic Party, which bills itself as a patriotic, economically left-leaning, and culturally traditional political party, is anything but left-leaning on drugs. Their manifesto states that “cannabis will remain illegal and on-the-spot fines will be enforced for use.”
If you’re looking to vote for a fringe candidate with better cannabis policies than these ‘others’ – perhaps lend your support to Count Binface.
How to vote for a pro-cannabis party
Based on current odds and polling, it is likely that the Labour Party will win the next general election.
What is less certain, is which party will make up the opposition, and it’s here that tactical voting could get cannabis reform on the political agenda.
Voting for a party that supports cannabis legalisation will allow more MPs to raise the issue of cannabis in the Houses Of Parliament, and tactical voting can be used to vote for your local MP who is a member of a pro-cannabis party.
All you need to do is look up your postcode on a site like https://tactical.vote/ – look for the pro-cannabis party with the largest percentage of votes at the last election, and vote for them.
For example, a vote for The Green Party in Bristol East would lend support to a pro-cannabis party candidate, and possibly a pro-cannabis voice in the next Government.
If cannabis is a key election issue for you, vote with your heart and support the pro-cannabis party most likely to win in your area. If your chosen candidate is elected, don’t forget to write them congratulating them on their new role as an MP and press the importance of cannabis reform.
Looking for an update on what the General Election results mean for cannabis legalisation in the UK? Check out our huge guide here.
