When it comes to cannabis in the UK, there are few politicians who are willing to step forward and advocate progress. However, this mindset appears to be changing, with an interparty movement known as the “All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform” calling for the UK government to reassesses the current model of prohibition.

In a recent statement, the group of MPs said that experiments into models of regulation should be “encouraged” in all member nations of the UN – starting in the UK.

“Depending upon the results of the evaluations, consideration may then be given to treaty reform to make appropriate provision for regulation of cannabis, and possibly also for other controlled substances.”

The co-chairwoman of the group, Baroness Meacher, has urged ministers to seriously consider trialling a model of regulation, where government controlled, tested and labelled marijuana could be sold.

It is hoped that such a move would cause "less focus upon prohibition and punitive measures, and greater emphasis upon human rights, public health and social welfare".

The end goal is to mimic the success of Portugal, where all drugs have been decriminalised, resulting in plummeting addiction levels, overdoses, and related maladies.

Could this be a sign that the UK will soon legalise weed? It is unlikely. However, it is certainly a sign that opinion on the matter is changing, and whilst the current government may not decide to act on the evidence, there will be growing pressure for the next one to do so.