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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Letter: Legalising isn't surrender
Don Barnard Mid Essex Evening Gazette, UK
Wednesday 05 Apr 2000 Mrs Betts believes relaxing drug laws "will be the last nail in the coffin, that we will lose it with the drug dealers and the children," (Evening Gazette 28/3/2000) but believes the issues should be debated. Tony Blair says as a parents he is petrified of drugs and has promised Mrs Betts he will not relax the laws on cannabis. So What s new? In 1997, he said he would not consider legalising cannabis even if a Royal Commission recommended it. The Government says its policy targets dealers, not possession. However, Home Office statistics show that resources are targeted against possession in particular cannabis Of the total drug offenders in 1998 (127,900) 90% were for possession - mainly for cannabis.There were 149,000 drug seizures 76% involved cannabis. 47% of all drug offenders were cautioned, 31% taken to court (24,000 for cannabis possession). In the 1999 UK top twenty chart for offences going to trial, stealing from shops and stalls was top 77,914. Cannabis possession sixth with 24,000. (Hanzard 22 Feb). With no other drug offence figuring in the chart, it is evident that the war on drugs is targeted against personal use, the vilification of dealers being mere spin. Clearly, resources being deployed to enforce cannabis prohibition, are not working In fact it is hard to see how cannabis suppliers could have maintained demand for its supply had it not been illegal? MORE important there is the personal cost to the 100,000 convicted annually for growing, possession of cannabis for personal use or sharing with friends. Legalising cannabis is not about surrendering. The real surrender is when unfounded fear and inertia shut off debate. I m not surprised Tony and many parents are petrified of drugs. It s is only natural to be afraid of something you don t really understand. Don Barnard, Legalise Cannabis Alliance Party, Aetheric Road, Braintree
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