Source: CUMBERLAND NEWS

Pub date: 6 July 2001

Published Letter: Cannabis

Author: Mark Gibson

CANNABIS

3 weeks after the general election I am pleased to see the introduction of a pilot scheme in Brixton and South London to offer warnings rather than arrest for possession of cannabis, which will in effect be decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use.

The anticipated results are the freeing up of police and court resources to fight serious crime and disorder, a main campaigning point of the LCA

Having just stood for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance for Penrith and The Border, I look forward to the scheme being extended to Cumbria an area where all too many otherwise law abiding citizens are needlessly criminalized and stigmatised by an unjust and unenforceable law.

With the imminent retirement of Police Chief Colin Phillps who's liberal views on cannabis have been widely reported, I only hope his successor shares his views and " turns a blind eye to cannabis use "

I would like to wish Colin Phillips a long and happy retirement.

Mark Gibson