It feels like this is going to happen sooner rather than later - our best pals America are already riding a wave of cannabis legalisation. So when will we follow suit? Next month, on October 12, Parliament will meet to consider a proposal to make the “production, sale and use of cannabis legal”, according to the Independent.

The debate is being held after a petition on the parliament website gained 211,000 signatures and will be led by Labour MP Paul Flynn, an advocate for legalisation. It’s unlikely to force an instant change – don’t expect Britons to be (more) openly blazing in the streets come October 13 – but it will once again draw attention to the fact that are large contingent of the country want to see legalisation happen.

Despite the petition, the government has so far dismissed plans to legalise weed. An statement said: "Substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health. There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities.”

Some police forces across the UK are already decriminalising the drug independent of law. Durham PCC Ron Hogg has instructed his officers to only target cannabis users or small-scale growers if they are being blatant about it.

While the effects of cannabis on mental health have long been debated, legalisation would certainly have economic benefits – it costs law enforcement £500 million a year, money that could surely be better spent elsewhere. Taxing the drug would also help underfunded public services.

Should we legalise cannabis?