A recent YouGov poll, asking the British public their views on cannabis reform compared to those held by politicians, has shown that a majority of both groups support some sort of cannabis reform.
The survey, conducted between 8th and 9th January 2025, asked members of the general public whether they supported or opposed cannabis legalisation. It found that 45% supported legalisation, while 42% opposed it. The remaining 13% answered that they did not know.
The same question was also put to 106 sitting members of parliament. 50% of MPs said they opposed cannabis legalisation while 39% supported it.
The question was then asked in a more nuanced format with more options. Respondents were asked to choose between legalisation, decriminalisation, or keeping the sale and possession of cannabis a criminal offence.
55% of the public said they supported either decriminalisation (24%) or full legalisation (31%). Only 33% still felt cannabis should remain illegal.
When the same question was put to MPs, a total of 53% supported some sort of reform. 28% supported decriminalisation, 25% supported full legalisation and 38% of MPs still felt cannabis possession should remain illegal.
SOURCE: YOUGOV
Strong support for medical cannabis in the UK
The poll also revealed broad support for medical cannabis in the UK. 73% of the general public believe doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis. 83% of MPs also answered that doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis for medical use. Only 7% of MPs were against.
The survey is the first of its kind to ask MPs how they might vote in a debate on cannabis since the 2024 general election. Both the Liberal Democrats and Green Party, who gained record numbers of seats, support some form of cannabis reform.
The results also revealed that cannabis reform is broadly supported by those under 50, adding weight to previous research from 2024 that showed in the UK 80% of Gen Z and 67% of millennials support cannabis legalisation.
In the recent YouGov survey 60% of 18-24 year olds expressed support for either legalisation or decriminalisation. Only 21% of people in this age bracket supported criminalisation. 61% of 25-49 year olds supported some sort of cannabis reform vs 28% who expressed support for sticking with criminalisation.
In contrast, 38% of 50-64 year olds believed cannabis should remain illegal as did 44% of those aged 65 and over.
Drug use as a health issue
The survey also asked MPs and the public views on broader drug policy. When asked if substance use should be a health issue or a criminal issue, both groups expressed that they support a more balanced approach. 36% of MPs said that drug use should be a health issue vs 11% who felt it should be a criminal issue. The majority however felt drugs should be treated as both equally (51%).
When this question was put to the public the most common response was that drugs should be both a criminal and health issue (40%). However, 28% of Brits felt that drug use should remain a criminal issue, vs 23% who believed it should be seen as more of a health issue.
