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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Now Darling admits he smoked cannabis
Reuters
Thursday 19 Jul 2007 LONDON (Reuters) -- New Chancellor, Alistair Darling, and Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, both admitted on Thursday they smoked cannabis in their youth. Two other ministers, including Darling's number two at the Treasury, Andy Burnham, and minister for policing, security and community safety, Tony McNulty, also owned up on Thursday to having a puff when they were students. The admissions came a day after Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced penalties for cannabis use could be tightened because of the dangers associated with stronger strains and growing police concern about gangs involved in the trade. "Occasionally, in my youth," Darling told Reuters when asked if he had smoked cannabis. Burnham said: "Once or twice at university, never since." Smith, the minister responsible for policing told Sky News: "I smoked cannabis a few times (at university). I think it was wrong," adding she had not taken any other drugs. Smith was supported by McNulty who told BBC television that he had also tried cannabis while a student. The prime minister has said on several occasions he has never taken illegal drugs. British media said Justice Minister Jack Straw and Foreign Secretary David Miliband had also denied any drug use. Brown's spokesman said it was a personal issue and the prime minister had no complaints about how ministers had responded. "There is no Number 10 edict on this one way or another." On Wednesday, Brown said Smith would be overseeing a review into whether smoking and possession of cannabis should become a more serious offence. http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKL1959326820070719
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