Marijuana
The study says 88% of British people are calling for a relaxation of drug laws. Getty Images

A vast majority of the UK believe the "War on Drugs" has failed and an increasing number of people think drugs should be decriminalised, according to a survey.

A poll conducted by the Observer revels 84% of British people believe the so-called "war" against people taking drugs is futile, with 16% believing it can never be won.

Of those who took part in the survey, 39% believed certain drugs which are currently illegal should be decriminalised, up from 27% in 2008.

Around 88% of British people who think certain drugs should be legalise believe marijuana is the one drug which should be decriminalised, with 22% thinking also thinking bans on magic mushrooms laws should be relaxed.

More than half the UK support the introduction of schemes initiated in the US states of Colorado and Washington, where the possession and use of marijuana for both medical and personal use is now legal.

Only 3% of the UK believes all drugs, including Class A narcotics such as crack cocaine, crystal meth and heroin, should be made legal in this country.

While 46% of people believe the current drug laws are "about right" compared to 27% who think they are not liberal enough, 47% said they would support an scheme in which illegal drugs would be made available via prescription to registered drug users.

The study suggests the current drug laws are a deterrent for people.

Of the people who have never taken illegal drugs in their lives, 15% said they would strongly consider taking them if they were decriminalised, with 1% saying they definitely would.

More than 80% of those who said they would consider taking drugs for the first time in the future said marijuana would be the drug they would consider.

Cocaine and ecstasy were the next two most popular choices, with 28%.

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