Though the curious digital form of 420 is now part of cannabis culture around the world, the journey to the UK is an interesting one, with culture and changing attitudes ascertainable. Five high school students in California, back in the 1970s, agreed to meet at 4:20 PM to search for an abandoned cannabis crop. Following that, a community of like-minded consumers emerged, choosing to utilize the forsaken and abandoned cannabis growing all over the bushes, in the California wildspace, for their ongoing criminal acts.
Following the 420 Cultural Transatlantic Crossings to UK Cannabis Culture
It took some time for the number 420 to permeate across the ocean and to the shores of the UK. Gradually, British cannabis consumers adopted this American tradition throughout the 1980s and 90s, primarily through music, first through the Grateful Dead touring circuit and later through the introduction of hip-hop culture. The number of smoke-in-meetings that occur on April 20th, throughout major UK cities such as Hyde Park in London and the Meadows in Edinburgh, is evidence that this cultural import has not just made its presence felt, but continues to transform and enrich the cannabis community in the UK.
Uncertainty of UK Cannabis Laws
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cannabis is still a Class B drug – punishable with up to five years in prison for possession, and up to fourteen years in prison for supply. There are some noteworthy developments in recent history however, that show things are gradually changing; it is now legal to sell CBD products with less than 0.2% THC, and several police forces have now de-prioritised cannabis offences as a minor (low) priority in the enforcement of serious crimes instead.
The Cannabis Medical Revolution
As of November 2018, the genuine access routes for cannabis in the UK have shifted; specialist medical doctors (not general practitioners) can prescribe a cannabis-based product in the UK for defined medical conditions. This shift is historically significant for people with:
- Severe Epilepsy (particularly childhood related)
- Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity
- Chemotherapy Nausea
- Severe Pain Conditions
Legitimate access routes now require private clinic consultations, while NHS prescription routes are still extremely difficult, with virtually no prescribers in the entire NHS.
UK Cannabis Community
The modern cannabis culture in the UK is primarily supported by a variety of permissible activities, including:
- Cannabis clubs, with an emphasis on law reform and community awareness
- Hemp industry events, covering industrial use and sustainable methodologies
- Advocacy groups planning peaceful protest and campaigns for law reform
- Online community connections, on advice for cultivation and strain discussions
- Cultural events, celebrating heritage and culture of cannabis
Propagation of Cannabis Culture in the UK
Recent polling suggests that there now exists majority support for a decriminalization of cannabis, with even greater support among younger generations. Numerous discussions are being had around cannabis policy reform within political parties, with the current international success of cannabis policy development in Canada, Netherlands, and some state-based countries in the USA, injecting impetus into renewed British discussion.