Legalise
Cannabis: Letter from Chris Philbin
Source: Essex Evening Gazette [UK]
Pub Date: Tuesday 13 January 2004
Pub LTE: Legalise Cannabis
Author: Chris Philbin, Legalise Cannabis Alliance
Contact:
gazette_postbag@thisisessex.co.uk
Website: www.thisisessex.co.uk
IS UK OUT OF STEP ON TOLERATION OF
CANNABIS
AFTER reclassification of cannabis on the
29 January, the Police guidelines of presumption of non-arrest will result in a
large reduction of arrest of otherwise law-abiding citizens.
BUT, I cannot understand why the UK
government wants to retain a law that allows for arresting and tossing cannabis
user in jail be it social or medicinal use.
The Netherlands has long tolerated
personal possession and allowed cannabis coffee shops. Cannabis is now
available as a prescription drug at pharmacies.
Spain no longer arrests recreational drug
users; Portugal has decriminalised cannabis use. So has Luxembourg.
Belgium allows the medical use of
marijuana and is considering permitting citizens to grow small amounts of
cannabis.
Local authorities in France and Germany
are considering whether or not to arrest cannabis users. The Swiss senate has
approved legislation legalizing personal use of cannabis.
The Australian and New Zealand
governments are considering approving the medical use of cannabis.
Canada provides cannabis through its
health-care program and has proposed decriminalizing cannabis cultivation and
consumption. Police in Toronto merely
confiscate cannabis from users.
And in the U.S., an Alaskan appellate
court has affirmed the constitutional right of citizens to grow and consume
cannabis at home.
In the UK After reclassification on Jan
29 "Cannabis possession will still
be an illegal drug". And that means preventing the sick and dying from
cultivating and using the only medicine that works for many of them.
Why should someone be classed as a
criminal simply for growing and consuming a plant providing they are doing no
harm and posing no threat to anyone.
Surely this can't be right?
Chris Philbin
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
Candidate for Chelmsford West