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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Unfounded fear cutting off debate on cannabis Don Barnard Letters, Braintree & Witham Times, Essex Wednesday 05 Apr 2000 Mrs Betts hopes "to God that the Government does not relax drug laws" (Braintree& Witham Times 30/3/2000) but believes 'the issues should be debated".(Evening Gazette 28/3/200). 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. (Hansard 22 Feb). Clearly, resources being deployed to enforce cannabis prohibition, are not working? 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 in the trauma, anxiety and loss of job of freedom of movement of the 100,000 convicted annually for growing, possession of cannabis for personal use or share with friends. Legalising cannabis is not about surrendering . The real surrender is when unfounded fear and inertia combine to 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 http://www.lca-uk.org
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