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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Enough Is Enough - Stop Punishing The Sick
Don Barnard Press Release
Monday 14 Jul 2003 From: The Legalise Cannabis Alliance, PO Box 198, Norwich, NR3 3WB http://www.lca-uk.org email: DonBarnard@lca-uk.org Cannabis campaigners are returning to Westminster with re-enforcements Warmed by the response of the public at last weeks spontaneous demo held in Parliament Square to highlight the plight of Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Biz Ivol and the injustice of prosecuting very sick people who use cannabis [albeit illegal] to alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life cannabis campaigners from all over the country are planning to converge on Westminster again on Wednesday 16 July. This protest is primarily to call for an explanation as to why Biz Ivol's prosecution took so long and why medical cannabis users are taken to court and will continue to be after reclassification (aka Chaos!). Don Barnard LCA Press Officer said: "I am fed up with politicians failing to address these issues, reclassification will do nothing to help these unfortunate sick people. "The responses we have had from Westminster MP's the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Justice System have failed to address the central issue. [See reply from Scottish Executive Eds. Note 1] ......"I fully support the protest and will be there as a representative from the LCA. There is an ongoing petition on the LCA web pages calling for the Scottish Ministers to justify the inhumane manner Biz Ivol was treated http://www.lca-uk.org/petition/index.php So far only 5 MP's, 1 Lord 1 MEP and a few Councillors have signed it: [ see Ed's note 2] Mr Barnard said: " It May be the rest did not know about it till now! .."If they did, shame on them for not signing. Another interesting signature is that of Neville Taylorson Cumbria Regional Officer, AMICUS - AEEU ! NOTE: I am led to believe these demonstrations may become a regular event during the next parliament. Kind regards Don Barnard Press Officer Legalise Cannabis Alliance donbarnard@lca-uk 07984 255015 http://www.lca-uk.org Editor's notes ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 3:56 PM I refer to your recent correspondence about the trial of Mrs Biz Ivol in Orkney on charges related to production, possession and supply of cannabis. I appreciate that you have expressed strong feelings on the subject. However, I hope you will understand that we cannot comment on any of the specific circumstances surrounding this prosecution, as the case is under judicial consideration. The independence of the Crown as a prosecuting authority is an important constitutional principle, and there is no role for the Justice Minister in taking decisions or intervening in local prosecutions. The decisions taken on this case are purely a matter for the Crown as prosecuting authority. I can advise you that, as part of her duty, the Prosecutor Fiscal was obliged to consider all of the available evidence and to act in light of laws enacted by Parliament and currently in force. Charges of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs are more serious than for possession, and the severity of an offence is an important consideration for the Fiscal when considering whether a prosecution is in the public interest. The Fiscal also considered Mrs Ivol's fitness to stand trial. Similarly, there is no legislative role for the Justice Minister in arguments concerning legalising or decriminalising cannabis, whether for medicinal or recreational use. The relevant legislation - the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - is reserved to the UK Government. It is not, therefore, in the Executive's remit to amend this law. However, you may be interested to know that advanced clinical trials into the development of a medicinal form of a cannabis-based drug have been completed by GW Pharmaceuticals, and the findings submitted to the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Home Secretary has said that the UK Government will do whatever is needed to amend the law quickly to permit the prescribing of a cannabis-based medicine, in the event that the MHRA approves the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the product. Patient safety must be the paramount consideration, and it is entirely appropriate that a cannabis-based medicine is treated in the same way as other medicinal products. It is possible that a medical product, based on cannabis, will be available for prescription by the end of 2003. We would wish to draw a clear distinction between a legal cannabis-based medicine, and the illegal use of this drug. There is a great deal of research which describes the risks to physical and mental health posed by cannabis, and it is certainly not a harmless product. While cannabis is likely to be reclassified by the Home Secretary towards the end of the year, this is not the same as legalisation or decriminalisation. Possession, production and supply of cannabis will remain criminal offences. I hope that you will find the above of interest. Yours sincerely David Watson Substance Misuse Division Scottish Executive St Andrews House Edinburgh 2] Signatories to petition Nick Harvey MP, Dr Ian Gibson MP Phil Sawford, MP Dr Lynne Jones MP Paul Flynn MP Lord Tim Beaumont, Marco Cappato MEP, Councillor Christopher Jackman, Conservative Billericay, Essex Councillor Mike Russell Lib Dem Gosport Darren Johnson Green Party, Greater London Assembly Councillor Steve Land Norwich Green Party END
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