The possession and use of all illegal drugs should be decriminalised, a cross-party group of peers has said.
The least harmful should be regulated and sold in licensed shops, with labels detailing risks, the group concluded.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform (APPG) said criminal sanctions did not combat drug addiction, and only marginalised users.
A recent call by MPs for a royal commission on drug decriminalisation was rejected by the prime minister.
Mr Cameron’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister’s very strong, clear view is that the approach we currently have is the right one and is working.”
The APPG – comprising two Conservatives, two Labour peers, one Liberal Democrat and four crossbenchers – took evidence from 31 experts and organisations, including the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
While the supply of the most dangerous substances should remain banned, users caught with a small quantity of any drug should not be penalised, it said.
“The Misuse of Drugs Act is counter-productive in attempting to reduce drug addiction and other drug harms to young people,” said group chairwoman Baroness Meacher.
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