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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK Cannabis Party say : "Justify the Law"
Don Barnard Press Release
Sunday 25 Jan 2004 Legalise Cannabis Alliance, News Bulletin - No Embargo 10/04 UK Cannabis Party say : JUSTIFY THE LAW During the cannabis discussion this week, The Legalise Cannabis Alliance [LCA] invite you bring the following into the public domain. International Law - Risk Management- Effective Policing CANNABIS: Challenging the Criminal Justice System [A Public Discussion Document] Presented by Don Barnard & Alun Buffry Online version with direct links to each section [1] The basic question the document ask is whether we have good reasons to continue to punish people who use cannabis or grow a few plants for their own use or share with friends at home. Are the laws just? Are they fair? Can we really justify punishing people for cannabis possession or growing a few plants when clearly neither individual nor society benefits through the prosecutions? ...Should we continue to punish those who use cannabis? Don Barnard of the LCA, who help write the challenge with co-writer Alun Buffry. Said: "Reclassification is a small step in the right direction. However, reclassification, does nothing to address the concerns of the LCA, medical profession, parents or the police" The Legalise Cannabis Alliance believes the way forward is a legal regulated control of cannabis with licensed outlets such as cannabis cafes, with quality control, education, and restricted access to the young and remove the criminal contact in obtaining cannabis. From The Challenge introduction: We need to examine the successes, failures and costs of past and present control regimes. Can we really justify punishing people for cannabis possession or growing a few plants when clearly neither individual nor society benefits through the prosecutions? How does the implementation of law conflict with Human Rights, harm minimalisation and good policing? The challenge calls for: A truly open and honest dialogue among professionals, government, the public and the cannabis using community Meaningful discussions on whether it would be preferable to have a system of licensed cannabis retail outlets incorporating all necessary quality control and harm reduction provisions, rather than criminal supply chains that seem unstoppable. Discussion between Government, The cannabis using community, Employers and Workers Representatives (TUC), on the value, reliability, cost and the need for universal testing for recent past cannabis use. Mr Barnard said: "The Challenge is all about truth and justice. We ask, are the laws on cannabis fair or just." Can we really justify punishing people for cannabis possession or growing a few plants when clearly neither individual nor society benefits through the prosecutions? " No." said Mr. Barnard. " I cannot understand why anyone wants to retain a law that allows for tossing cannabis users in jail "Why should someone be classed as a criminal simply for growing and consuming a plant, providing they are doing no harm and posing no threat to anyone - Surely this can't be right? "Government must justify the law.The Challenge is designed to assist them in their deliberations" adding.."We are waiting for an appointment with Mr Blunkett to deliver him his personal braille copy." Kind regards Press Office Legalise Cannabis Alliance PO Box 198, Norwich, NR3 3WB http://www.lca-uk.org donbarnard@lca-uk.org Tel: 07984 255015 Editors notes: Cannabis: challenging the criminal justice system [a public discussion Document]. Contents links to each section Challenge http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#challenge Introduction: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#introduction International Treaty Considerations http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#treaty 2. Elements of Risk http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#risk 3. Random Drug Testing: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#testing 4. Drugs and Human Rights: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#rights 5. Legalise Cannabis Alliance Principles and Proposals: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#principles 6. Recommendations: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#recommend 7. Bibliography and Associated Reading: http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#bibliog
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