Is It Legal?
Between legal CBD in every high street and prescribed medical cannabis, it's easy to think the law has quietly changed. It hasn't. Here's where recreational cannabis actually stands, in plain English.
This is the short, clear version. For the full detail (cautions, supply, drug-driving, your rights if you're stopped) the Law & Rights pages go deep. This chapter is just to settle the basic question people keep getting wrong.
The UK position, plainly
Recreational cannabis is illegal in the UK. It's a Class B controlled drug, and that hasn't changed. Possession and supply both carry real penalties (GOV.UK). That's stated here once, plainly, for honesty rather than atmosphere. We're not going to keep repeating it or use it to frighten anyone.
What that means in practice
Possession can mean anything from a warning or an on-the-spot fine to, in principle, up to five years for larger amounts. Supply (which includes sharing, not just dealing) is treated far more seriously, up to fourteen years. How a possession case is actually handled varies a lot, and knowing what your rights are if the police stop you matters. That's exactly what Know your rights is for.
Why people think it's "basically legal"
Two real things create the confusion. Legal CBD, the non-intoxicating compound, is sold openly in shops, which makes it feel like cannabis has been waved through. It hasn't. CBD is just a different, legal product. And medical cannabis has been legal on specialist prescription since 2018, but that's a narrow, mostly private route for specific conditions, not a green light for recreational use. Medical cannabis explains who that actually applies to.
Elsewhere in the world
The law varies enormously by country: from fully legal (Canada, Germany, Malta, Uruguay) through decriminalised or tolerated, to a serious criminal offence with severe penalties. If you're outside the UK, or travelling, don't assume. Where is cannabis legal? gives a country-by-country snapshot. Wherever you are, the sensible move is to check the law where you actually are. It's not legal advice, but it's the honest starting point.