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UK: Legalise cannabis to help stop drug dealers, says top QC
Lisette Johnston The Press & Journal, Aberdeen
Monday 26 Feb 2007 SCOTLAND'S best known advocate Donald Findlay QC yesterday called for the legalisation of cannabis. In an interview with Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan on radio station talkl07, Mr Findlay said he felt legalisation could lead to a better level of control of some drugs by taking them out of the hands of dealers. He said: "When people like me talk about legalising cannabis, we're not talking about just having a free-for-all. "By legalising it, I'm talking about putting it in a legal structure, so you could buy it as you can buy alcohol from licensed premises if you wish, and it would give authorities, not just 'the police, but medical authorities and so on, that level of control. "Now, if we don't try that, then the alternative is the same and the same is causing harm, and the same cannot be acceptable and we cannot just let this drift on." Mr Findlay added: "The damage that drugs have done, not just to people, but also to the country in terms of the economics of the country because of the amount of money that has been siphoned off by drug dealers, well we're talking the amount of money that would run a small country." The QC, who was Scotland's top legal aid earner in 2006, said that while he did not like drugs, and had never even tried cannabis. he felt a more radical approach was needed along with resources to help people beat their addictions. This is not the first time Mr Findlay has sparked controversy. In 1999 he was caught on video singing sectarian songs with Rangers supporters, and was fined 3,500 pounds by the Faculty of Advocates and resigned as vice-chairman of Rangers football club. In June 2005 Mr Findlay resigned as chairman of Faculty Services Limited, a private company that looks after the business affairs of advocates. The move followed controversy over a joke he made about the death of the Pope during a speech at a Rangers supporters' event in Larne, Northern Ireland, in April that year.
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