LEGAL cannabis markets should be tested and drug use decriminalised as part of a radical new approach that pays more heed to human rights laws, a group of MPs and peers has recommended.

In a report published today, the all-party parliamentary group for drug policy reform called for an overhaul of the global approach to the problem of narcotics, saying the “war on drugs” and “blanket prohibition” had failed.

It said experiments into possible models of regulated cannabis markets should be “encouraged” among UN member states including Britain.

“Depending upon the results of the evaluations, consideration may then be given to treaty reform to make appropriate provision for regulation of cannabis and possibly also for other controlled substances,” the report said.

It also said any regulation should reflect the “supremacy” of human rights conventions.

Cannabis has already been legalised in parts of the US.

Co-chairwoman Baroness Meacher called for testing a system of licensed premises selling labelled and tested cannabis, saying it could undermine dealers of harder drugs.