Source: Letter, Evening News, Norwich

Date: July 1996

WE READ with interests the responses of Dr Gibson (Labour) and Dr Kinghorn (Conservative) to the announcement that there will be a Legalise Cannabis candidate in Norwich North.

While Dr Kinghorn seems content to ignore the disastrous social effects of prohibition under the belief that "... the person will not take many votes from the Conservative Party", Dr Gibson is content to quote the Labour Party line.

These responses are precisely the reason why we have to nominate a candidate, just to bring the subject into the open, initiate debate, and give people a chance to express their support of legalisation without fear of repercussions.

The candidate will be seeking votes in support of legalisation of cannabis, to enable a count, rather than seeking a place in parliament (although the seat will be taken if won.)

The legalisation of cannabis is a cross-party issue which no party seems to wish to discuss. Even the Green Party, which advocates decriminalisation of all drugs, avoids proposing legalisation of cannabis.

We would happily debate the issue with other candidates, their supporters, the heads of their parties, or anyone else.

Jack Girling

Chairman Campaign to Legalise cannabis International Association

Peacock Street, Norwich