Sunday 15 May 2022 01:01 PM Policing minister Kit Malthouse tells Sadiq Khan to end his 'baffling' support ... trends now

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse has slammed London mayor Sadiq Khan for his plans to legalise cannabis.

Mr Malthouse said the Mayor of London's review into cannabis legislation and his photoshoot at a Californian weed farm was 'baffling' - linking it with knife crime in the capital.

Mr Khan used a trip to America to renew his calls for cannabis to be legalised in the UK - stating his intention to further decriminalise the Class B drug.

Writing in the Sun, Mr Malthouse wrote: 'Knife crime cuts too many lives short – often young kids – and leaves a trail of broken hearts behind.

'I continue to push the police to be even more dogged in fighting knife crime

'So we are giving them more powers and resources to track down those known to have carried previously.

'But we cannot ignore the intrinsic link between this violence and drugs.

'Almost 50% of murders are linked to drugs in some way.

'So I find it baffling that just last week, the Mayor of London thought it appropriate to stage a photoshoot in a cannabis farm in LA, to reiterate his support for the legalisation of this entry level drug.

'I profoundly wish he would focus on knife crime and violence taking place in the capital instead.'

The intervention came as Malthouse is preparing to launch Operation Sceptre an initiative to dedicate thousands of officers from all forces to tackling knife crime.

He added: 'Having met the families of some of those killed, I know these victims are not just statistics – they are people’s beloved daughters and sons, and they need someone to feel responsible.

'There are simply no positives to carrying a knife and I have made promises to the families of victims that I will do everything in my power to drive down this senseless violence.

'From putting more cops on the streets - 13,500 already and 20,000 by next year - to funding more programmes to direct those at risk away from crime.

'Since this government was elected in 2019, a staggering 50,000 knives and offensive weapons have been removed from our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and other police action'.

Mr Khan was so impressed with the cannabis outlet and production line he announced the formation of a new group to look at decriminalising the drug in Britain.

But the photoshoot - which featured him looking serious surrounded by the plants - has prompted utter disbelief in some quarters.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, who has vowed to crackdown on middle-class drug users, was no plan of the Mayor's drive.

She said: 'Sadiq Khan’s time would be better spent focusing on knife and drug crime in London.

'The Mayor has no powers to legalise drugs.

'They ruin communities, tear apart families and destroy lives.' 

Mr Khan's cannabis farm visit in Los Angeles and new decriminalisation group puts him on a collision course with Labour leader Keir Starmer.

A party spokesperson confirmed this morning: 'Labour does not support changing the law on drugs.

'Drugs policy is not devolved to mayors and under Labour would continue to be set by national government.'

The Mayor of London said former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer QC will be the chair of the first London Drugs Commission, which will assess the effectiveness of UK drug laws.

Sir Keir insisted in January he was against softening the law after it was revealed a proposed pilot programme would see young adults caught with the Class B drug offered speeding course-style classes or counselling instead of arrest. 

LA decriminalised cannabis in 2016 after which arrests related to the drug in California dropped by 56%.

The commission being launched by Mr Khan - a manifesto pledge during last year's City Hall elections - will examine the effectiveness of UK drugs laws, with a particular focus on cannabis, but will not consider class A drugs. 

Cannabis is currently classed as a class B drug, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison for possession.

Though advocates say it can make people feel happier, sceptics warn that regular cannabis use increases the risk of developing a psychotic illness. Results from European neighbours offer an insight into the potential pitfalls of the policy - with Portugal seeing a huge surge in cannabis-induced psychosis after it decriminalised the drug in 2001. 

In January, King's College London professor Sir Robin Murray said around a third of the psychosis patents he sees at his practice in south London are mostly young people suffering from debilitating paranoia and hallucinations caused by use of high-strength skunk.