CannaCymru: The Case For Legalised Cannabis in an Independent Wales
Over the last few weeks, an advert has kept on popping up on YouTube from trading broker eToro about the rise in the value of Cannabis stocks all around the world. The last decade has seen CBD based products enter the mainstream, with countless celebrities promoting oils, face masks, tea bags and all sorts containing the non-psychoactive chemical compound. We have also seen the legalisation of medical cannabis in the United Kingdom (legalised in November 2018) and ever-increasing shouts for the legalisation of recreational cannabis. “The devil’s lettuce” has never been less taboo in society, despite it still being classed as an illegal drug in many countries across the globe. But as billions have started pouring into the economy of country’s that have legalised Cannabis it made me wonder, would a thriving Cannabis industry be of great benefit if Wales were to have a future outside of the UK?
At the time of writing, Cannabis is classified as a Class B drug. This has been the case since 2009 where it was raised from a Class C after five years of less severe sentences. Despite its illegality, the United Kingdom is the world largest exporter of legal Cannabis. It is nearing three years since medical Cannabis was legalised across the UK after the cases of two epileptic children were brought into the public consciousness. November 1st 2018 meant legal weed was available through the NHS for those with “exceptional clinical need.” However, doctors seem to be reluctant to prescribe the now legal treatment like Canada and some states in the USA (you’ll hear a lot about them throughout this) have done for some time.
So what does this have to do with Welsh independence? Those against the idea are quick enough to say “Wales cannot afford to go without Westminster’s money” even after providing multiple pieces of evidence to show how an independent Wales wouldn’t have to worry about it. The rapid normalisation of Cannabis around the world is undeniable, more and more are starting to realise that a whole lot of money can be made from green. The best case can be made by looking over the North Atlantic and seeing the boost the Cannabis industry has given to Canada. CA$2.6B was made in 2020 alone according to Statistics Canada. This is despite what some argue to be a poor form of legalisation from the Canadian Government. Up to a maximum of 30g can be purchased per person, but only from a select few licenced stores. The lack of availability left the door open for the black market to still thrive. At the end of the day, Canada is only the second country worldwide to have such a progressive switch up of the law, the more who embrace and learn from it, the better the service will become.
A country closer to home synonymous with Cannabis are the Netherlands. Coffee shop culture is known worldwide and for years the land of windmills and Chocomel has become a pothead pilgrimage, with Amsterdam being many people’s destination. Although it is legal to spark up in these establishments, the production of Cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands with gangs essentially controlling what gets grown then sold in legal stores. It goes without saying if Wales were to legalise Cannabis they’d have to avoid this at all costs. It’s not only the financial aspect that would be a major player in an independent Wales, the safety of users and even tourism will also be just as important. If Wales gave the freedom to grow your own produce, buy your own from regulated but accessible establishments and overall just be acceptance of Cannabis, positive change would be there to be seen. The market for the now illegal synthetic Cannabis products (Spice) would disappear, and of course, it is common knowledge at this point but to this day, not one person has died from consuming Cannabis. There are frightening amounts of deaths each year solely from consuming alcohol and tobacco products but which one can you pick up in a store and which one can still land you in prison whilst other nations embrace and benefit from it? Having recreational freedom would draw tens of thousands in each year, just like the Netherlands. Take into account the natural beauty of Wales, all of our mountains high and low, our breathtaking coastline and beaches, there aren’t many places on this planet that are more picturesque to have a few tokes that’s for sure.
Our world changes so fast, what may have been seen as a life-ruining substance not so long ago is now being treated as casual as enjoying a glass of wine. The normalisation of the use of Cannabis will be life-changing on a medical front, we are slowly seeing it on this island. On a totally different topic to Cannabis, Welsh independence has never been as popualr as it is now. But I can see the two going hand in hand in the not so distant future. It’s time that the Senedd and Westminster start to take note before we’re left in a cloud of smoke by the rest of the world.
