The Big Question: Should we legalise cannabis? 

Ive smoked one pipe every night without tobacco for twenty years. Taken like this, I sleep really well and feel on point and ready for work in the morning. I run a successful joinery business and employ 18 people. At no point have I felt cannabis has affected my life negatively and the minute it did I would stop.

People should be able to get cannabis without having to deal with criminals.

Can't believe the UK is so backwards. Arresting people for a victimless non violent action is madness. That young man has no right to be on the program. Has absolutely no clue. People in the UK smoke so much weed right now and its illegal. Educate and regulate. It has been used by mankind for 4,000 years with no problem. Gateway drug???? 4 million people die from alcohol every year. How many people die from cannabis consumption? Which is more dangerous? Less propaganda, more proper ganja!

If definitely rather leave my child with a weed smoker than an alcoholic 😂

I don't think that kid has a clue

Decriminalizing/legalising cannabis could save as much as 900 million pounds of police resources per year and that's not even talking about how much money the UK would make off of taxing it if it were to be sold legally. The industry would be worth billions and create many jobs. Like i've said on previous videos either make alcohol illegal or make weed legal. (i'm not advocating for the banning of alcohol, but not one person can explain to me why it's okay for alcohol to be legal but not weed.)

arguing with the anti-cannabis crowd is like arguing with flat earthers at this point

Who cares nobody listens anyway. I'm having a smoke right now. No victim,no crime.

What a one sided argument. If you're going to have a debate at least have it balanced Mark. Just calling people lazy and irresponsible for smoking a plant is very childish in my opinion and not a proper balanced debate. GB news are just making fun and not being serious about this. It's about time we had some serious discussions on drugs and especially weed ,legalisation would benefit our society and take the bad weed off the streets and replace it with better quality weed that doesn't damage people. There's too many people that have a narrow view on this and they need to be educated into the benefits it would bring to legalise this plant. There are many countries that have seen fit to do this now so why not ours.

ffs. mark, it's NOT a drug it's a plant. and you have a youngster on who NEVER tried it, spouting nonsense. what bollox

Where did they get this panel? The 1950s?

No Government should be allowed to dictate what an individual consumes within the confines of their own abode. Recreational cannabis consumption should be decriminalized in my own opinion, freeing up many man hours which the police could allocate to other areas within the community. People who want to keep things banned and illegal when it doesn't effect themselves are practically controlling individuals. You wouldn't like to be in a controlling relationship; so why allow these people to control your freedom to a casual smokey smoke. 🤔

smoked for 55 years worked in a rolling mill for most of my working life never smoked at work cant think why anybody would want to smoke while at work waited till i get home where i can relax if you get paranoid dont smoke it alcohol has caused far more road deaths than weed

Blondie was clueless, kind of people that don't know what first hand experience is but are willing to take it away from everyone

Canada, USA, Mexico, Uruguay, lots of clubs in spain, Jamaica, South Africa, portugal... I'm not hearing of any problems. Mark's characterisation of stoners is ridiculous. And where does he make the connection to drunk drivers? And why's weed "bad"? It's good ffs. It's the only drug I use.

The most ridiculous debate I’ve ever witnessed I’m actually seriously ashamed to be British

You guys wrap all cannabis users under one generic view that they all smoke in the morning. That’s not true for all. Some are responsible and don’t smoke before work for example.

Can we just agree, that whether it’s legalised or not, people will still consume it

How can a person that’s never done weed know more about weed than a person that does? Tobacco is far more addictive!

Legalize pot, but do it better then Canada!

22 year habit and I'm fine. Demonised by people that have no personal experience of smoking it

Not convinced by the gateway objection. I certainly never felt the need to move on and have been off it for a number of years. I Know many people who have been using it for years and none of them have moved on to harder things. It's certainly true that it's a lot stronger (overall) than it use to be. Would more people try it? Tobacco is legal but usage is declining. Personally I'd put a lot more weight on studies from Holland and the States etc when judging the pro's and con's of legalisation than any of these personal "opinions" - come on GBN that would help us make a far more informed decision..

Can someone explain to the snowflake, that many many people consume cannabis, and are still more than capable of carrying out daily tasks, inclu complex work, unlike someone pissed on Prosecco

Very disappointed to see GB News so far away from public opinion (just read the comments) and to have the AGAINST/FOR ratio of guests being 5:1..???? This looked like a BBC Brexit debate. Very disappointing indeed

Well that’s 4 out of the 5 spewing utter nonsense. Can’t even believe what I heard. I thought we’d left those uninformed attitudes in the past. Genuinely worrying

I plant shouldn’t be illegal

This is pitiful, with badly informed contributors, repeating tropes that are every bit as prejudiced as antisemitism or homophobia. Even if they are opposed, please let's have someone with an opinion worth listening to.

What the hell did I just watch... it felt like Ed was in a prank or some kind of joke he wasn't in on. Well done Ed for keeping it together... for the most part lol I must admit I had to laugh too at multiple points!

Please send the snowflake to my family in Jamaica to see my farming family consume cannabis whilst working and parenting

on behalf of ginja people all over the UK i wish to distance ourselves from this narcissistic phallus....each to their own, and let people live their own lives..

The police would only bother with weed-smoking offences if you were driving over 30mph while doing it or typing nasty tweets. What is the point any more? They don’t Protect and Serve.

Do you know Britain is one of the biggest growers of cannabis. Plus the biggest exporter. Ok for certain members of society to make money from it.

LEGALIZE IT ALREADY SO PETTY😂

Most outdated draconian panel I’ve seen in years!

I bet that ginger guy was fun in uni 😂

Yes. Remove the profits for criminal gangs. Tax it.

absolutely 100% YES...!!!! we as a nation would have so much more income and money to put back into things like the NHS.!.!.!

Its healthier than smoking tobacco and drinking... also its less addictive than caffeine. Cannabis is a good thing. I smoke everyday it dosnt stop me . Today i had a joint then walked my dog been shopping and posted some orders for my business evreything went smooth . I havnt drove been safe and sound . Weed should be legal end of.

It would be good to have clean lab tested herb available for British people, instead of having them purchase from Mr buy it leave it which could contain plant growth regulators(PGRS) or other toxins which are artificial nutrients used to maximise yield/harvest.

11:37 i have a joint at home at night once i finish my work and when my daughters are in bed, this guy really has balls of steel to make that claim

Yes we should. I've been smoking since 14, I'm 37 now. And still love it, I still do my day today stuff with ease. Still work full time. Got 3 kids. These people haven't even tried it . All they know is the rubbish that there kind tell them ha ha. They don't know what there missing out on. I've stopped drinking and have for many years now. But weed!! Is my reatlity. Helps with everyday things. Simple 😊

Yes. If you're against it don't do it. It's less harmful than alcohol. The stepping stone stance is bs, I did weed (in my younger years) and was never tempted to do hard drugs. It's like saying drinking milk is a stepping stone to being an alcoholic.

This whole conversation was uninformative, I didn't feel like any of the opposing side had any clue in what they where talking about. The barrister said about a cannabis user being behind the wheel and fallen asleep, but how many times dose this happen to people that drink alcohol. Not saying anyone should be under the influence of anything while in charge of a vehicle or children, plus i know loads of individuals that would not dream of taking any other substances except cannabis. so saying it can lead to other hard drugs is totally misinformative and not true. Alcohol on the other hand will give you a false sense of courage to try something new if in the wrong situation. The little boy on the right has no clue about the real world. I'm surprised you would bring someone on with hardly any life experience. (Take that silver spoon out your bum) Stoners you may know or have tried it:Joe rogan, Mike tyson, snopp dog, Elon musk, ect. The list is unreal and None would be where they are if they where lazy. If you don't want to legalise cannabis, then I suggest you criminalise all scientifically proven toxic chemicals that are recreational.

*FUNNY HOW I CANT FIND ONE COMMENT THAT AGREES WITH THESE KARENS*

Unambitious. Biggest load of lies ever

I live in Camden where people deal and take drugs openly and police presence is rare. I think anyone advocating drug use should spend half a day in the area to see the absolute mess people get into. Long term benefit culture and long term drug use has created an unemployable underclass throughout the UK.

We did this we made it legal in Canada it nice not to feel not like a criminal . My wife did 2 science's and a athlete, artist, and much more oh there art many different types of pot so you can pick and choose, not all pot makes you lazy oh how about all those people on Doctor prescribed medicine that are high and driving and at work can you tell they are high so people its about being a adult and responsible peace to all

You might as well legalize it, we need more room in the jails and it’s not a violent crime.

@3:02 "Still a drug so do we want to normalize it for example you know daytime use: do you want people behind the wheel of a heavy goods vehicle or do you want school ripped to the tits on the wacky backy" Lol Not sure exactly what point he is making here, its almost like inferring that if something is legal it means people will do that everywhere, when that simply isn't true. For instance, you could swap out cannabis with a legal drug like alcohol or the naturally produce chemicals the brain releases during sex and the examples he used would still be considered inappropriate and potentially criminal activities, certainly drinking and driving. The point is, just because something is legal suddenly means you can do it everywhere, sure people might but that happens whether its legal or not. What a silly argument, cheers GBNews for the great laughs you provide our nation

It makes me more productive and a better person. This guy has literally no idea atall

Legalise it already - it's not good for you but it is not that bad either (relative to booze) - adults should have the right to buy it and consume it if they want to.

My partner and I vaporize cannabis every weekend, we also occasionally have a drink and we also grow poppies and collect the pods, which we make into tea from time to time. Of those 3, cannabis carries the highest legal risk but alcohol is the one that does the most harm- with alcohol you feel the hangover- never had a hangover from cannabis or poppy tea. And the poppy I am talking about is legal to grow because of it's acceptance as an ornamental and culinary plant- it can be processed up to the stage of dry pods that only need ground up and steeped for 20 minutes legally- if I make tea, it is a class A drug, but the likelihood of being caught within the hour it takes to make and consume is incredibly low. This remember is the plant from which opium, morphine and heroin are derived! The fact I can grow opium poppy legally, but not cannabis is absurd. I believe that I have the fundemental right to grow and consume any plant that I want as long as I do not directly harm anyone in order to do so- even the morphine laced opium tea has not dropped us into despair, and we wouldn't need to beg a doctor to give us a decent painkiller in the event of an injury, like with alcohol (which people are fine with us consuming any time we want) we are aware of what an opioid addiction can do to a person and hence take a responsible approach to how much, how often and when we take it- cannabis is FAR more benign than either, but growing cannabis would be very obvious and is not legal like poppies are, so we are forced to pay street prices, lest the smell of a cannabis grow land us in jail! Legalize ALL drugs, if you are found to be in a position where you are operating dangerous machinery intoxicated- you'll be punished, if you hurt someone (just as if you were sober) you will be punished! By the way if alcoholism is a sign of boredom, depression or dissatisfaction with your environment, isn't drug use the same deal? Growing opium and tobacco, collecting psychedelic mushrooms and brewing alcohol costs us almost nothing- growing a few cannabis plants outside or on a window ledge would too, we hurt nobody- butt out, my body - my choice!

As someone who spends half the year in Wirral and half the year in Texas I think they're just talking past each other. The cultures are totally different. You do get potheads in the US but they're a much smaller group than potheads in the UK. It's far more widespread for people to smoke all day in the UK in my experience. Whether that outweighs the arguments for legalisation or decriminalisation is another matter though. We would never know without taking the plunge. US data can give some indications but their culture is so different as to render that data unreliable, in my opinion.

These against arguments are so pathetic it's laughable

Alcohol's large involvement in violent crime is undisputed. On the other hand, I've very rarely heard of a stoner committing a serious criminal offence while under the influence. So, you tell me which LEGAL drug is the most damaging to society?

Yes.

*How can any grown adult want to infringe on another grown adults basic human rights? This whole debate is an absolute joke for clowns.*

1 person for cannabis, 4 against . . . how is this discussion remotely fair?

Shouldn’t be a debate everything with a barcode has done more damage then cannabis has done globally

In 2016 the UK exported 96 tons of cannabis, 44% of the worlds total!

Yes. It's harmless and not at all addictive . . . . . and I should know, I've been smoking it for years 😎

Were you find there people aggressive from cannabis never herd that before crazy

Five against one such a balanced debate, its everyware in the UK already the horse has bolted, like the man says, 'get with the program'. Stop the mindless persecution.

ASK THE PEOPLE , WE SHOULD MAKE THIS DECISION

California legalised it but illegal weed is still sold for cheaper.

It’s no different to having a drink. The only reason people creeping about so much is because it’s illegal. I mean if teens and adults want to have a joint at least make sure you want them to be safe with friends. Also I have walked past people who have smoked it and I know they smoked it cause they smell of sh*t.

If cannabis is the same catorgory as ketamine, and amphetamine then plz show evidence of this. How many days off work have cannabis users taken in comparison to alcohol abuse???!!??😮 This law on cannabis is simply in place to protect big pharma...😊

The young lad might of done his school work but he hasn't any life experiences. Iv smoked dope for 30 years daily and a self employed bricklayer/builder. Iv never been a bum and never been out of work .I have never advertised and do a lot of heritage work

When someone says skunk it shows their lack of knowledge. They clearly don’t know what they’re talking about!

Should “we” legalise it? Well it’s not up to us. Because “we” get told what to except!

Everyone in the against side of the argument clearly knows nothing about cannabis. I'm sure you could find some better arguments than these, they're about 20 years out of date

Well I smoke weed and workout so how's it making you lazy?🤔🤔 funny aye It's a PLANT!!! DRINK AND CIGARETTES ARE TOXIC BOTH LEGAL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes

this was so stupid, two guys came in with assumptions and no actual points. The UK is huge in the cannabis culture and has been for years. We are the biggest exporter of THC in the world. Why do we farm and export something thats illegal?

Im actually shocked at how out of touch the dude on the right is.. he said we will be importing a foreign culture... goes to show how little he knows about how much its used in the uk

Search up the Endocanebanoid system and ask your self why you was never thought this in school or at any point

Im confused how so many people can be so wrong on so many things to do with weed

It's time for justice.Why are we so slow in the UK.

Boy on the rights just not got a clue

ChatGPT told me 97.8% of these comments are in favor of legalisation and recreational use.

I know a 78 year old man that has been smoking pure cannabis for 50 years, and he says it is perfect for anxiety and stress.😮?

Will never happen ever and if it did it would be so expensive not your usual street price and the robbing government would keep rising the price like they do tobacco

I wish I could access the strain Charlottes web, and so do many more people with epilepsy suffering so many side effects on the available medications. The plant should be legal

Legalise it if you want. It’s going to be consumed either way. The only question here is does the government want to beneath from it.

Legalise is over most world

Well that was pointless. Who are these two anyway? I’d leave the discussion up to scientists, medical professionals and politicians and other people with relevant knowledge. There are now many models to study as other countries are moving towards legalisation. It’s an absolute travesty that the medical side has not been explored fully in any case.

As a british smoker , this is cringe .

You would be surprised who is consuming cannabis in the uk and working being fully functioning members of the community who pay taxes who rise through the ranks in their profession right now in the uk . And I know parents that have brought up kids much better than most . The argument is ridiculous. Some people abuse chocolate are you going to ban that . Fools.

I don't get it, the people who want to smoke it already smoke it so would it not make sense to make it legal and make tonnes of revenue off it and take it away from the criminals. All their rubbish arguments could be managed like excessive alcohol use (driving,work,health).

The guy on the right has never had a joint!

Im with the American on this one!!!

Okay first of all, its ridiculously unfair that the ONE PERSON FOR cannabis is american and the rest of the people were AGAINST, its very much .. "gang up" second, cant compare COLLEGE/UNI to regular everyday life, I went to school and WAITED till night time to get high because I only used it to go to sleep and wake up the next morning fresher... I have NEVER drank alcohol or done ANY other drug in my entire life! So those "points" made? Were ridiculous at best!

I don't believe either of those two guys have ever even tried cannabis. It's just not true. It's also funny how that became a 1v5. Soo many lies told there.

The guy on the right probably hasn't even tried a joint let alone the so many different strains with different effects.

Yes, it’s the only way pacify the people when the shit hits the fan and everyone has lost everything and they are starving with no jobs no money and under total control of the world economic forum.

Nicotine from tobacco is more addictive that weed on there own

Been such a long history of miss & disinformation & the medicinal aspects overlooked it's virtually impossible to have a rational informed discussion of the subject because there's too many prejudices. Obviously the American isn't going to be able to get through to the English on the subject. He even reiterated the 'gateway' idea, which studies have found doesn't exist.

Dude who is against it seems like the least street wise and out of touch person in this generation

Guy on the right hasn't got a clue!!! He thinks weed is worse than Alcohol.. This is the issue the guy has probably never tried cannabis in his life and doesn't understand the effect of it.. And these are the guys saying it shouldn't be legal.. Totally unfair discussion, 1 for, 5 against.. Morons let people do what they want

The only way cannabis is a gateway drug is when it’s made illegal as you could be tempted by the dealer that could sell more hardcore drugs it being legal drives customers to a shop with educated sellers that only cell products around cannabis so your point backfires problems with cannabis comes from it being illegal such as a dealer won’t ask for id and teens will experiment so make it safe