Let's Look At North America's Experience Of Legalising Cannabis

22 October 2018, 16:10

Ex-police chief Sir Bernard Hogan Howe told Shelagh Fogarty that over the next few years we should look at North America's experience of legalising marijuana, as we review our own cannabis law.

In light of the recent legalisation of Cannabis in Canada, ex-police chief Bernard Hogan Howe called for an urgent review into cannabis law in the UK.

Speaking to Shelagh Fogarty, he pointed out that what North America is going through is "a great social experiment".

"It would be wise to look at their experience over the next few years and see what it tells us - if it tell us it's a massive mistake then don't do it", he said.

Let's Look at North America's Experience in Legalising Cannabis
Let's Look at North America's Experience in Legalising Cannabis. Picture: LBC

Among the benefits, Bernard Hogan Howe pointed out that it allows the government and the state to earn money through taxes on the drug, which Shelagh quipped might have "political appeal", particularly for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Hogan Howe spoke of how the politicians decided to legalise the drug in Canada, while the decision was made in various US states after "referendums", to which Shelagh said in jest that she couldn't believe he had used the "referendum" word. "We'll all need a spliff after that", Shelagh joked.

Bernard Hogan Howe features in Channel 4's Dispatches 'Time to End the Ban' tonight at 8pm.

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

Watch Again: Shelagh Fogarty is joined by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to take your calls

Call the Cabinet: Shelagh Fogarty is joined by Wes Streeting to take your calls

Caller Sue accuses Starmer of letting in illegal immigrants

Caller Sue accuses Starmer of rolling out the red carpet for 'illegal immigrants'

Caller Ayo's impassioned defence of trial by jury

Caller Ayo’s impassioned defence of trial by jury

LBC caller's blistering message to millionaires leaving the country to avoid tax

Caller Sabrina's blistering message to millionaires leaving the country to avoid tax

Kemi Badenoch owes Rachel Reeves a 'public apology', says LBC caller

Kemi Badenoch owes Rachel Reeves a 'public apology', says LBC caller

Caller Comp

LBC Callers react to Glastonbury IDF controversy

'Let us have a referendum on the death penalty,' demands LBC caller

'Let us have a referendum on the death penalty,' demands LBC caller

Natasha calls Shelagh Fogarty

Natasha ‘won’t vote Labour again’ over tax on private school fees

LBC callers react to Donald Trump’s sweary outburst

LBC callers react to Donald Trump’s sweary outburst

Caller Sarah says Trump’s F-word rant shows his ‘thuggish’ side

Caller Sarah says Trump’s F-word rant shows his ‘thuggish’ side

LBC caller accuses Shelagh Fogarty of 'whitewashing' grooming gang statistics

LBC caller accuses Shelagh Fogarty of 'whitewashing' grooming gang statistics

'It makes me angry, it's a bit rich from him'

Jay accuses Robert Jenrick of using youngsters' poverty to chase clicks from the far-right

'How do you get Hamas out? We didn't get the IRA out...'

LBC caller from Northern Ireland warns trauma will perpetuate conflict in Middle East

LBC Caller: 'At least we know where we stand with Reform'

LBC Caller: 'At least we know where we stand with Reform'

LBC callers react to the local election results

LBC callers react to the local election results

Caller Heidi

Caller Heidi can't understand why the Ukraine minerals deal has taken the US so long