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Biz Ivol: Enough Is Enough
Don Barnard Letter
Saturday 12 Jul 2003 SENT IN OUR NAME Dear Mr Watson Thank you for reply to my email sent the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Justice Department concerning the sad case of Biz Ivol. Please clarify: was that an "unsolicited" reply or an official response on behalf of those to whom my original email was addressed? Noting paragraph two of your letter that it would not be appropriate to comment on cases under judicial consideration. I have, therefore, delayed responding to your email until the prosecution had concluded. I found the information contained in your letter interesting but it is old news to me. To avoid filling my in box of standard replies, please note that for over a decade I have worked as lobbyist on the campaign for changes to the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, the last 3 years as Press Officer to the Legalise Cannabis Alliance. (A registered UK political party) www.lca-uk.org, so I have received most standard replies already. To understand my feelings I recommend that you visit the following web pages. http://www.lca-uk.org/challengeintro.php http://www.lca-uk.org/don You may also like to visit a couple of Web sites I rely on for my sourcing - A bit more comprehensive and up to date than http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/index.htm The UK Cannabis Internet Activist http://www.ukcia.org/ Cannabis Campaigners Guide http://www.ccguide.org That said, I note you did not really address the central issue "How was the prosecution of Biz Ivol in the public interest"? Surely the police and Crown Prosecution Service have discretion and must only charge/prosecute when in the public interest! SEE Independent Drug Monitoring Unit web page: http://www.idmu.co.uk/mednecessity.htm You stated that I have expressed strong feelings on the way the case of Biz was conducted. I believe that if you meet Biz Ivol you may get an insight into why. Do not despair, this is possible: - I am led to believe that under the National Treatment Agency's Guidelines to your department and all UK Drug Action Team's, it is incumbent on you to consult with "drug users", "drug user groups representatives" and careers? Clearly Biz Ivol meets those criteria! Will you be now be asking Orkney DASAT to seek Mrs Ivol's input into any future drug policy developed by them and their partners? Your claim that Scottish Parliament drug control is mandated from Westminster is valid. However, I would remind you. The House of Lords, the British Medical Association, a number of MP's and a massive majority of the public around the world are opposed to the prosecution of people like Biz who use cannabis out of extreme medical necessity. Several juries have already returned not-guilty verdicts in similar cases: See http://www.ccguide.org.uk/no-guilt.html You claim, in the ultimate paragraph of your letter, that there is a great deal of research that describes the risks to physical and mental health posed by cannabis and it is certainly not harmless. This I find puzzling. The entire foundation of reclassification is built on the belief that cannabis is a relatively harmless substance, and I was led by the government to believe that it would change the law to reflect this. IF you truly believe that cannabis is harmful to individuals and/or society, then you are doing a grave disservice to the Scottish people supporting liberalising the use of a dangerous substance, instead of a legally regulated system of supply. Political promises often turn out to be a trap for the naive. Can I refer you here is some serious science from University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine: Research at the University of California School of Medicine has failed to reveal a substantial effect on the neurocognitive functioning of cannabis users. http://health.ucsd.edu/news/2003/06_27_Grant.html Finally, while politicians amuse themselves with games of smoke and mirrors, I would have thought that in a free society we have the right, no, a duty to evolve into caring critical thinkers. So let's talk - The long drawn out prosecution of Biz Ivol that undoubtedly caused a rapid decline of her health, MUST be justified. HOW was it in the public interest to bring this case forward? Equally important, what has the Scottish Criminal Justice System learned from this high profile case, apart that is, the fact you are out of touch with public opinion by prosecuting VERY sick people who use/share or grow a few cannabis plants [albeit illegal] to alleviate their suffering, (i.e. 94 per cent of those taking part in Grampian TV phone in supported Biz Ivol as did a similar majority on all radio shows that had votes)! For information. I have Cc: Karyn Tait Orkney DASAT Drug Development Officer At: Karyn.Tait@orkney-hb.scot.nhs.uk I await your reply with interest. Kind regards Don Barnard Legalise Cannabis Alliance, PO Box 198. Norwich. NR3 3WB donbarnard@lca-uk 07984 255015 http://www.lca-uk.org
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