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A group of MPs predicts cannabis will be legalised in the UK within the next five years after they went on a research trip to Canada.
Tory Jonathan Djanogly, Lib Dem Sir Norman Lamb and Labour’s David Lammy travelled to Canada, which legalised the drug last year, on the trip organised by UK pro-legalisation group Volte Face.
Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in the UK, although it can be prescribed for medicinal purposes.
But Mr Lammy and Sir Norman both said they believed the drug would be fully legalised in about five years.
Jonathan Djanogly, Sir Norman Lamb and David Lammy (PA)
Tottenham MP Mr Lammy shifted his stance on the drug, moving away from his party’s official position to backing legalisation.
He said: „I want the market legalised, regulated and taken away from crime gangs.
Cannabis goes on sale in Canada – In pictures
1/11
A depiction of a cannabis bud drops from the ceiling at Leafly’s countdown party in Toronto
AP
2/11
Canadian flag with Cannabis leaf
AFP/Getty Images
3/11
Customers line up outside the Natural Vibe store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in Canada
REUTERS
4/11
A man plays a song as customers line up outside the Natural Vibe store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
REUTERS
5/11
A customer looks at cannabis on display after legal recreational marijuana went on sale at a Tweed retail store in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canad
REUTERS
6/11
Cannabis is seen on display at a Tweed retail store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Reuters
7/11
Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton applauds after handing Ian Power and Nikki Rose, who were first in line to purchase the first legal recreational marijuana after midnight
Reuters
8/11
Customers line up to purchase the first legal recreational marijuana that will go on sale after midnight at a Tweed retail store in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Reuters
9/11
An estimated 400 people were in line to purchase cannabis at the Tweed retail store on Water Street, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, when it became legal after midnigh
AP
10/11
People smoke cannabis on the street in Toronto
AP
11/11
People smoke cannabis on the street in Toronto
AP
1/11
A depiction of a cannabis bud drops from the ceiling at Leafly’s countdown party in Toronto
AP
2/11
Canadian flag with Cannabis leaf
AFP/Getty Images
3/11
Customers line up outside the Natural Vibe store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in Canada
REUTERS
4/11
A man plays a song as customers line up outside the Natural Vibe store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
REUTERS
5/11
A customer looks at cannabis on display after legal recreational marijuana went on sale at a Tweed retail store in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canad
REUTERS
6/11
Cannabis is seen on display at a Tweed retail store after legal recreational marijuana went on sale in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Reuters
7/11
Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton applauds after handing Ian Power and Nikki Rose, who were first in line to purchase the first legal recreational marijuana after midnight
Reuters
8/11
Customers line up to purchase the first legal recreational marijuana that will go on sale after midnight at a Tweed retail store in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Reuters
9/11
An estimated 400 people were in line to purchase cannabis at the Tweed retail store on Water Street, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, when it became legal after midnigh
AP
10/11
People smoke cannabis on the street in Toronto
AP
11/11
People smoke cannabis on the street in Toronto
AP
„I want to see the strength of the stuff reduced, labelled and properly organised in this country.”
Sir Norman had previously led the Lib Dems’ decision to back the legalisation of cannabis, and recently wrote in the Standard how „our current laws on cannabis are not working”.
Mr Djanogly, meanwhile, told BBC’s Newsbeat: „I think we have got a lot to learn before the legalisation of recreational cannabis, which I think will happen at some point.”
He added he thought legalisation would occur between 10 and 15 years in the future.
The MPs’ trip was partly sponsored by cannabis company MPX.
Sir Norman and Mr Lammy funded their own flights and accommodation.
Earlier this month, the Standard ran „The Cannabis Debate” series investigating whether selling the drug in a regulated way could encourage safe use.
Additional reporting by Press Association.