Published: The Western Gazette, UK

November 1, 2001

Last week Home Secretary David Blunkett announced the Government's plans to take a softer line with cannabis, relegating it to a Class C category drug. Reporter Katherine Davison took to the streets of the county town to find out what residents and visitors thought about the move.

AS author of books including Cannabis for Lunch it is no surprise that Sam Day of Dorchester was one of the first to welcome the Government's announcement.

But the 35-year-old said there might have been hidden reasons behind the decision to concentrate on harder drugs.

She said: "The change in the law is good news. Cannabis has been a help to people with medical problems. I think it's a step in the right direction. There's an ulterior motive in the decision though.

"Afghanistan is the biggest supplier of heroin in the world. I think the Government has done it to soften the blow with a lot less heroin coming in.

"Cannabis is known to be a great help to those using heroin. As a campaigner I am in touch with all the campaign groups but there was no whiff of anything like this happening prior to the announcement."

West Dorset district councillor Harry Dowell, aged 69, was more cautious but said cannabis use was not always a bad thing.

He said: "I think it was always inevitable. It saves police time. I don't want to see it legalised but it has become more accepted that smoking cannabis happens. It's use for medical purposes is not a bad thing."

Dale Ellard, 18, of Dorchester said: "I smoke it myself. I think it's okay. People who smoke it will do so regardless of the consequences anyway."

Paul Burt, 21, of Dorchester said he could not care less. "It doesn't really bother me. I don't take it so I'm not worried about the consequences."

Cruise ship photographer Ricki Churchill, 21, of Dorchester said: "I agree with it. I don't think it will have any bad effects It is a step forward."

Postman Kevin Quinton, 45, was visiting the town from Fareham and said he was disgusted with the move. He said: "The decision is awful, the Government should be flogged. They are making a rod for their own backs. Reducing the penalties for possessing cannabis will encourage people to move on to stronger drugs. It is the thin end of the wedge."

Retired Gerald Scott, 71, of Bournemouth said: "I've got no strong feelings either way think it's been a waste of police time prosecuting smokers but I wonder what the next drug to be legalised will be."

Mature student Karen Plumb, 36, of Portesham said: "It's brilliant because I suffer a from Fibromyalgia and the sooner they legalise it for medical reasons the better."

Midwife Geraldine Goodchild, 39, from South Wales said: "The decision is probably a good thing. For some people cannabis should d be legalised for medical reasons."

Hilda Lawton, in her seventies, of Poole said: "If I needed cannabis for medical purposes I agree with it but it could lead to a drug problem. For medical purposes it should be available on prescription only."