Sadiq Khan has defended a City Hall review of cannabis laws that could lead to the legalisation of the drug.
The Labour Mayor found himself in dispute with the national Labour party, which said it did not support changing UK drug laws or allowing cities to set their own rules.
It came after Mr Khan announced the appointment of Lord Falconer, formerly Lord Chancellor in Tony Blair’s government and a member of Labour’s shadow cabinet, to head a London drugs commission.
Speaking after visits to a licensed cannabis factory and a cannabis shop in Los Angeles, Mr Khan said it was vital to “follow the evidence” rather than allowing “prejudices” to block consideration of the potential benefits of decriminalising the Class B drug.
Mr Khan told the Standard: “Nothing I’ve seen makes me worried, but what’s been fascinating in Los Angeles is how they’ve decriminalised cannabis over the last few years, and how they’ve made the cultivation of cannabis lawful, with really high standards of regulation.
“I have got an open mind about these issues. The key thing is for the London drugs commission to look at the evidence, to take on board concerns in relation to health and those worried about crime, to see where it has worked and to make a recommendation.
“I... used to be a lawyer so like to follow the evidence. We all have prejudices but rather than pre-judging the outcome, let’s wait and see.”
Mr Khan’s move in establishing the commission, a mayoral manifesto pledge, was interpreted as paving the way to potentially relaxing the law on cannabis in London or more widely.
It came as he continued his four-day tour of the US, which saw him meet chat show host James Corden and director Richard Curtis last night.
But as the announcement was being made, a spokesman for Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “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.” Mr Khan is also aware of the tax-raising potential of a regulated system.
In LA, tax from the sale of cannabis products generated £165 million last year. A levy of about 10 per cent is added to cannabis products.
Mr Khan said LA communities that in the past had been the victims of drug use were now entrepreneurs.
He said: “By decriminalising cannabis they have raised the quality and the safety of the product, but also raised literally millions and millions and millions of dollars in taxes.
“An industry that was illegal, where criminals were benefiting... can be transformed into a lawful industry where tax revenues are paid.”
The commission will make recommendations to City Hall, the Government, the police, the criminal justice system and public health services. It is unlikely to report until next year.
City Hall does not have the power to change the criminal law but could influence the debate.
Lord Falconer said: “It is a real opportunity for there to be a thorough look at the effectiveness of our drugs laws and policy on cannabis.”
