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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Stockbridge & Wellow Ward, Hampshire County Council
Katie Tuff Election Communication
Wednesday 06 Jun 2001 Dear voter, My name is Katie Tuff and I would like you to vote for me in the County Council elections. I'm standing for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance. I'm hard working, dedicated and very local. Whilst it may look like I'm a one issue candidate, those of you who know me, know that I'm concerned about wider issues. I'm passionate about education and the NHS, improving public transport, the environment, and last, but not least, low cost housing. However, as I'm standing on the legalisation of cannabis platform I ought to at least briefly explain why. I am not promoting its use, merely suggesting that its legalisation would benefit society. Why legalise cannabis? * MS sufferers, cancer patients and many others find it helpful. Why should these vulnerable groups of people face the added stress of possible prosecution? Legalising it would allow producers to grow specific strains to help these illnesses. It might even save the NHS money. * The policy of it being illegal is not working. The majority of 19-25 year olds have tried it. As long ago as 1987, 1/3 of all police recruits at Hendon admitted to having tried it. Many people indulge in it occasionally. It is pointless to brand most of society as being criminal. * Legalisation would enable the police to devote more time and resources to fighting real criminal activity. * At the moment, the under 18s find it easier to buy cannabis than alcohol. This is because it is sold by friends and associates rather than licensed traders. Selling it on the same, or stricter terms than alcohol, would help to prevent underage use. * Legalising it would break the link between occasional user and hard drug dealers. Far from it leading people down the slippery slope to heroin addiction; it will prevent people from coming into contact with illegal drug dealers. * Its use does not cause people to "drop out". Many successful people have used it or continue to use it. For example, sports persons, musicians, artists, lawyers, journalists, nurses, teachers, doctors and even politicians. * Unlike many legal drugs it is not physically addictive (e.g. caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes). Unlike alcohol, it is not linked to aggressive behaviour and violence. * For those of you that are concerned about the risk to health associated with smoking, cannabis does not need to be smoked with tobacco. It can be smoked alone, eaten or infused in tea. * Legalisation and licensing laws would prevent the adulteration of cannabis with other substances. In short, users would know exactly what they were taking. * If it was legal it could be taxed, and the revenue raised pumped into education, health and research. * Hemp has many additional uses. The seeds can be eaten; and the plant utilised in the production of clothes, rope, building materials and green fuel. At present, the regulations involved in growing this versatile plant are so numerous few farmers consider it to be viable. * Hemp is an ideal cash crop. It grows well in this country and it could provide our farmers with an additional income. * Prohibiting its use contradicts the European Human Rights Act. Its use does not harm others. There are no victims and in my mind, no crime. * Are the British public so stupid that they cannot be trusted to make an informed decision on whether to use cannabis or not? Isn't it time the Nanny State accepted that grown ups are capable of making their own minds up? Thank you for taking the time to read this. Should you have any comments, questions or offers of help, please contact me katietuff@hotmail.com. Yours sincerely Katie Tuff
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