U.K. lawmakers may be given the opportunity to debate legalizing cannabis after a petition supporting the move received more than 150,000 signatures.
The electronic petition, which calls for the legalization of the production, sale and use of cannabis, or marijuana, attracted in excess of 155,000 supporters by lunchtime Monday. This exceeds the 100,000-signature threshold beyond which the House of Commons Petitions Committee must consider putting the issue to a parliamentary debate. The government must also officially respond to the petition.
Cannabis is a Class B drug in the U.K., carrying prison sentences of as long as 14 years for supply and production. Possession can result in a prison sentence of five years.
