CANNABIS
DOWNGRADE IS 'SIGN OF THE TIMES' SAYS LABOUR MP
Source:
Essex Enquirer [UK]
Pub
Date: Thursday 29th January 2004
Author:
Gina Marden gena@theenquirer.co.uk
Contact:
letters@theenquirer.co.uk
Cited: LCA http://www.lca-uk.org
CANNABIS
DOWNGRADE IS 'SIGN OF THE TIMES SAYS LABOUR MP
THE
Government's reclassification of cannabis has been branded
"misguided" and utterly wrong by Essex Tory MP's.
From
today (Thursday), the government has downgraded the drug from
a class B to a class C.
But the
move, which sees the cannabis in the same Category as tranquillises and
steroids, has been blasted by opposition MP's.
John
Baron, Tory MP for Billericay called - the reclassification "utterly
wrong".
'This
downgrade creates the impression that the government is
going soft on drugs," he said.
"We
should adopt a tougher approach towards pushers and addicts."
Mr
Baron said the government is "out of touch with the reality" of
cannabis and evidence showing its harmful
effects on health.
And Tory
MP for Upminster, Angela Watkinson called the government's £1M advertising
campaign, designed to warn the public of the drug's illegality a 'damage
limitation exercise'.
She
told The Enquirer, "We should be preventing young people from using drugs.
It's no good curing one addict if two more come along."
Home
secretary, David Blunket said the move would allow police to concentrate on
tackling class A drugs such as cocaine and heroine.
Under the
legislation it is still illegal to possess, supply or deal in cannabis.
Possessing the drug with intent to supply carries a maximum 14
year
sentence.
An
Essex Police spokesman said the force vowed to follow ACPO guidelines and lean
toward issuing warnings where the quantity suggests personal use.
Amid
mounting Criticism for the new legislation, Labour MP's in the county
reiterated their support,
Mike
Gapes, MP for Ilford South, said relaxing the law 'recognises the reality' of
the vast number of people using cannabis.
"We
don't want to criminalise a whole generation. It's right to allow police to
concentrate resources on tackling more serious drugs," he said
But Don
Barnard, a Chelmsford spokesperson for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said the
reclassification would not help the situation.
“We
should be concerned about the health of users, "he told The Enquirer.
"Let's
get real, bad things happened under the previous law, why will the
reclassification improve the situation?"