|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
Dopey move on new cannabis law
Steve Clements Letters, York Evening Press
Saturday 24 Jan 2004 THE re-classification of cannabis makes little difference to the way the law has been interpreted for some time now (`Is the country going to pot?', January 21). It has created a geographical lottery on whether the police will arrest for possession or not, with at least six forces saying they will. Arrests can also be carried out "at the discretion of a police officer". This opens up all sorts of potential issues of discrimination and prejudice. The Government has provided, free of charge, the greatest bit of advertising the criminal black market could ever have hoped for - ensuring a continued rise in use around the country, particularly among young people. Recent scaremongering stories regarding psychosis have been blown out of all proportion and, as yet, are not scientifically proven. The Royal College Of Psychiatrists said: "There is little evidence that cannabis use can precipitate schizophrenia or other mental illness in those not already predisposed to it." Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh says that they should have kept the law as it is because the police had the situation under control. This is further evidence of how totally out of touch with the real world our politicians are. Fears of increased use among the young and the health issues are further reasons for legalisation and proper regulation and control, with sound advice on harm reduction. The taxes raised from this, estimated at =A32 billion, would help towards rehabilitation and other drug-related problems. A law that does more harm to society than the substance it intends to protect us from is wrong and unworkable. Until we have a government prepared to deal with the issue properly and separate cannabis from the black market, Britain's drug problems will continue to be out of control. Steve Clements, Legalise Cannabis Alliance, Church Street, York.
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!