CAN THESE
PUNISHMENTS BE JUSTIFIED?
Source: Evening News, Norwich, UK
Pub Date: Thursday, 16 October 2003
Pub LTE: Can these punishments be
justified?
Author: Don Barnard, Legalise Cannabis
Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org/
Web:
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk
Contact:
EveningNewsLetters@archant.co.uk
CAN THESE PUNISHMENTS BE JUSTIFIED?
I AGREE with Antonia Blaxland that a
tolerant attitude is required towards those who prefer to use cannabis (A plea
for more tolerance for all, EN, September 28), however, we also need a just
society.
The principle I invoke is that no one
should be punished unless there are compelling reasons for doing so.
In any attempt to evaluate the justice or
injustice of our drug policy we must address whether the laws are just and
whether cannabis possession is the kind of thing for which punishment is
appropriate.
We can justify punishment for people who
rape, rob, steal etc - these crimes harm people and society.
But, come on, why do we have laws that
allow for locking up people who use cannabis or grow a few plants?
The basic question I pose is: Should we
continue to punish people who use cannabis?
If a satisfactory answer cannot be provided, I must conclude that our
current policy is unjustified and should be changed!
Don Barnard,
Legalise Cannabis Alliance,
Norwich