The legalisation of cannabis is a hotly debated issue and reoccurring conversation throughout the UK. For chemical analysis, the drug could become a complete area of focus in most laboratories should it ever become legalised – and there is continued support for it.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (via the Sunday Post) believes that decriminalising marijuana would benefit the economy by bringing in £1 billion a year in taxes. In fact, it is also highlighted that the black market for the drug is currently valued at £2.6 billion per year.

Professor Anthony Chalmers, head of clinical oncology at the University of Glasgow, commented: “Street cannabis contains dangerous chemicals in the way tobacco does. Cannabis produced in reputable laboratories is different.”

It is a major change for labs to make a shift towards manufacturing the drug. If a real case for legalisation comes through in the UK, then more labs will need to adapt to the production of marijuana.

The public mood for cannabis is changing, which doesn’t only apply to its use in medicinal circumstances. According to a poll from BMG Research (via the Independent), the majority of British people supported its legalisation “so that it would be sold in shops like alcohol and tobacco”.

The survey, which was conducted with over 1,500 people, showed 22 per cent were strongly in favour of the aforementioned statement, while 29 per cent had a reasonable amount of support towards it. If the change in public mood and lobbying for the drug continues – and it probably will – then a full legalisation would mean that more time and resources will be put towards analysing the substance.