Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is reportedly working on a plan to decriminalise cannabis in certain London boroughs under a new pilot scheme.
Under the scheme, people aged 18 to 24 found with “small” amounts of cannabis in the boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley would not be arrested and charged but instead offered classes or counselling.
This would be similar to the treatment by most police forces of first-time speeding offenders or for drivers who’ve committed lesser offences.
Thames Valley police has trialled a model where classes or counselling are offered for under-25s caught with small quantities of cannabis.
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A London cannabis pilot could be announced this month, the Telegraph reported, with funding then potentially coming from the Mayor’s policing and crime office.
A spokesman for the Mayor denied that the proposed move would amount to decriminalisation, for which the Mayor does not have legislative powers.
“This limited trial, which is still in development and has yet to be approved by City Hall, would involve three of London’s 32 boroughs and would only apply to 18 to 24-year-olds found in possession of a small amount of cannabis. It would not apply to any other drug," the spokesman said.