Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. United Kingdom law
Cannabis laws in East London follow United Kingdom’s national law. Local variations are uncommon—jurisdiction law sets the baseline for legality and penalties.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis may be prescribed by specialists for certain conditions, though access remains limited. Some hemp-derived products may be sold under separate rules, but that does not mean marijuana is legal, and legality can depend on product content and labeling. Unauthorized possession carries legal risk.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Available via specialist prescription
- Possession: Illegal without prescription
- Buying/Selling: Illegal outside licensed medical
- Tourists: No routine access to medical prescriptions
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
The UK rescheduled cannabis for medical use in 2018, allowing specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products for conditions where evidence supports benefit (such as certain forms of epilepsy or multiple sclerosis). Recreational use remains fully illegal, classified as a Class B drug with potential criminal penalties for possession or supply.
Law Enforcement
I expected a warning and to lose my cannabis over a small amount in East London. More than two or three grams felt like a different story. There are plenty of other smokers, but there’s always a fed out for an easy nick, so be polite.
Cars are a different story. Don’t skin up or smoke in a car, and definitely don’t drive high.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Weed seemed to be all over East London. The estates in Stratford, Hackney, East Ham, Barking, Beckton, Canning Town and Custom House were the places I knew. Younger people around the estates often knew somebody. If you’re a stranger to the area, keep a low profile. London has plenty of scams. I’d check what I was getting, and sometimes offer someone a benz for a reliable contact I could use while I was there.
A benz was a £10 bag. “Two for niff’s” was getting two of those bags for £15. A score was a £20 bag, and a Henry was an eighth (3.5 grams), after Henry VIII. Above that, it was mostly halves and ounces.
I always asked for skunk. The hash I got in London was terrible, and I had no idea what was in it.
Marijuana Prices
- A benz: £10, usually around 1.4 grams in this account.
- A score: £20, approximately 2.8–3 grams.
- An eighth: £25–30.
- Half an ounce: around £65, sometimes more for an unfamiliar buyer.
- An ounce: £130 and up.
If you weren’t from the area, you could end up paying more, especially for a half.
Types of Marijuana
Ask what strain it is and you might hear “sticky,” “crumbly,” “icky” or whatever name came to mind. I’d put it at almost a hundred percent that what I was getting was commercial skunk.
More Information
Camden Town? I’d keep my money. Same for the hash. Don’t get mouthy with dealers, and keep your cash in your pocket until you’ve seen what you’re buying.