In a recent case in Preston, a 20-year-old illegal immigrant, Orgit Arapi, was coerced into tending a substantial cannabis operation in a quiet suburb under the guise of employment by his so-called "Albanian overlords." This narrative unfolds in Lostock Hall, where Arapi, promised compensation after the harvest, lived in isolation, his daily sustenance provided by a Romanian associate of the gang. However, despite the arduous labor, he never received any wages.

The circumstances of this case illustrate the severe consequences of cannabis prohibition. By maintaining cannabis's illegal status, we inadvertently fuel a thriving underground market, ripe for the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. This black market becomes a breeding ground for modern-day slavery, where people like Arapi are manipulated into illegal activities under dire conditions, their desperation exploited by well-organized criminal syndicates.

Arapi's experience sheds light on the pressing need for cannabis regulation. A regulated cannabis market would drastically undercut the profitability of these illegal operations, diminishing the power of criminal enterprises that thrive on human exploitation. Regulation would not only ensure the safety and rights of those involved in the cultivation and sale of cannabis but also enable governments to impose standards and protections that currently do not exist in the shadowy realms of the black market.

Furthermore, by shifting law enforcement focus away from minor drug offenses to more serious crimes, resources are better allocated, enhancing public safety more broadly. The regulation of cannabis would also allow for the generation of significant tax revenues that could be reinvested into community services, potentially aiding those most at risk of exploitation.

In conclusion, the prohibition of cannabis does not come anywhere near achieving its goal to suppress a substance but instead it perpetuates a cycle of exploitation and crime that victimizes the most vulnerable in society. It’s through regulation that society can offer protection to these individuals, dismantle powerful criminal networks, and foster a safer, more just community for all. The public desire for this change is there and has been there for quite sometime , it’s the political will to make this change that is lacking. Do your part today get involved with those campaigning for an end to Cannabis prohibition across the UK and Ireland. Groups like Crainn, The Cannabis Activist Alliance, Seed our Future, NORML and others could do with all the support they can get as we are so close now to ending Cannabis Prohibition