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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Pro-cannabis campaigners on a high after Home Secretary
Press release
Monday 02 May 2005 In January 2005, The Home Secretary Charles Clarke (Norwich South MP) refused to meet members of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance [LCA] because he did not respect the legalisation argument. (Norwich evening News 28 Jan). LCA candidate Don Barnard, who stood against Mr Clarke at the General Election. Said: "Mr Clarke said he would meet us at the election count...... He was now delighted The Home Secretary had confirmed the meeting with the Legalise Cannabis Alliance is to go ahead. "I am pleased that after a decade of huffing and puffing trying to blow the Home Office doors down, Charles Clark is forward thinking enough to accept it is of sufficient import to invite us in." said Mr Barnard. We will not be seeking to argue about the haze of confusion over the risks to health allegedly associated with cannabis use. Nor, will we be advocating specific changes to the present prohibition policy at this meeting. Instead - We will simply point out with the changing attitudes of society on cannabis there is a possibility there may come a time when there will strong (IRRESISTIBLE) pressure on government to reconsider it's prohibitionist policy on cannabis." Mr Barnard said: " Since there is no point in just arguing - I expect we will first decide what to argue about! Then seeking to see if there is common ground to justify further meetings and/or consultations between the law makers, cannabis enjoyers, and their representatives. adding..... "We can only hope Charles Clark will recognise the pro-cannabis lobby can be helpful in clarifying and defining the issues within a framework of logic that will help society come to a consensus on how best we deal with cannabis in the UK." Alun and Don are joint authors of INTERNATIONAL LAW - RISK MANAGEMENT- EFFECTIVE POLICING CANNABIS: CHALLENGING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (Commonly known as "the Challenge"). http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php See overview of the Journey to Home Office. http://www.lca-uk.org/challengehomeoffice.php Kind regards Don Barnard Press Officer Legalise Cannabis Alliance, (Cyfathrach Cyfreithloni Cannabis) PO Box 198, Norfolk NR3 3WB http://www.lca-uk.org/ 07984 255015 donbarnard@lca-uk.org Editors notes "The Government is aware of the arguments for legalising cannabis in a regulated way and has concluded that the disadvantages would outweigh the benefits. A substantial increase in consumption of cannabis (largely by smoking) could have significant implications for public health. Also, unilateral action on the Government's part would undoubtedly encourage unwanted drug tourism to this country in the event that there were no similar move to legalise internationally. .....it would be perverse to take the huge gamble with public health that would be involved in legalising cannabis." [email from Caroline Flint MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Home Office 14 September 2004] - See full letter and other related correspondence at http://www.lca-uk.org/challengehomeoffice.php - On Jan 28 2005, Charles Clarke refused to meet the LCA allegedly saying he had no respect for the Legalisation argument. (Norwich Evening News page 2 ) - On May 5 At the election count - Charles Clark thanked Don Barnard the Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate, for the responsible manner he and his Agent Alun Buffry had conducted the campaign, shook hands, promising to meet him and Alun in the near future. - email from Diary Manager to Home Secretary Dear Mr Barnard - I am writing on behalf of the Home Secretary regarding further to your below email reminding him of a meeting with yourself and Mr Buffry. Charles Clarke would be happy for the meeting to go ahead, could you please contact me to arrange a suitable time and date. (Diary Manager to Home Secretary). Alun and Don are joint authors of INTERNATIONAL LAW - RISK MANAGEMENT- EFFECTIVE POLICING CANNABIS: CHALLENGING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (Commonly known as the Challenge). http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php Printed and posted by Don Barnard Legalise Cannabis Alliance Norwich South 2005. PO Box 198, Norfolk, NR3 3WB < http://www.lca-uk.org/ >.
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