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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Letter: Smokers' rights
Alun Buffry, Legalise Cannabis Alliance Daily Mail
Monday 04 Oct 1999 SMOKERS' RIGHTS The advice and information given to judges in the Bench Book is a welcome but partial recognition of the Human Rights of Rastafarians to practice their religious rites through the smoking of cannabis, also called ganja. However, we have to agree, in this instance, with Conservative MP Julian Brazier - "The law must be the law for everybody." To ban the smoking of cannabis is contrary to the basic human right to choose and the practice one's religion or belief, and the law can only interfere if there is a threat to the health, morale, well-being or security of society or the rights of others. There is no reason to stop Rastafarians consuming cannabis. On the other hand, to prosecute cannabis users because they are not Rastafarians would also contradict the Human Rights of equality. We cannot have one law for one religion and another law for others. Presently, there is an application before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on precisely this issue, spearheaded by myself on behalf of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance and the Campaign to Legalise Cannabis International Association (CLCIA) and many others. The issue is quite clear cut, although it has been ignored by the UK Government and the UK Courts to date. What Right does the law have to interfere in the practice of a belief, in this case that the consumption of cannabis is beneficial in one or more ways, when the actions involved hurt neither society nor the individual. The answer is none. Alun Buffry Legalise Cannabis Alliance Norwich
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