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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cannabis cafe idea proposed
Tuesday 04 Jul 2000 Subject: Cannabis cafe idea proposed Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 Souirce: BBC Online http://news.bbc.co.uk./hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_818000/818517.stm Cannabis cafe idea proposed Cannabis has created a widespread debate An MSP has said cannabis cafes should be considered as part of Scotland's fight against hard drugs. The idea is among the suggestions which Deputy Justice Minister Angus Mackay heard as he continues his attempt to strengthen the way Scotland is combating drugs. He met Scottish National Party MSP Margo MacDonald, who urged him to set up a special commission to look at all drug-related matters. The backbencher said she was keeping an open mind on the issue of experimental drugs cafes, but believed they should be considered. Ms MacDonald explained: "I am in favour of a commission tackling that issue and I believe we can all offer our individual opinions and contribute to the debate. Margo MacDonald: Drugs' commission call "But once you start an experiment of that kind it is very hard to roll back. I really think we first need to know why people use the drug. "Unless we have that information we cannot then decide what is the sensible way of classifying the drug and making legal changes which may be required. "We have to determine how we use resources to separate the really bad drugs from a drug which arguably does much less harm to the individual then drink and nicotine." One MSP who has spoken out in favour of cannabis cafes is Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan. He believes that by legalising the substance, law enforcers will be able to concentrate on their fight against hard drugs. Commons motion The current debate has been prompted by Labour MP Paul Flynn's House of Commons motion calling for a four-year cannabis cafe experiment in England and Wales. The motion has been co-sponsored by Ann Clwyd, the MP for the Cynon Valley, and has been signed by 13 other MPs at Westminster, including three Conservatives. Two Scottish churchmen - Professor Donald Macleod of the Free Church of Scotland and the Most Rev Richard Holloway of the Scottish Episcopal Church - have backed Ms MacDonald's call for a drugs' commission. They share the opinion that cannabis was no more harmful than alcohol. Earlier this year Mr Mackay travelled to the US to see how authorities there tackle drug problems. He concluded that Scotland's criminal justice system could learn from the American model that imprisons serious drug offenders but gives first offenders the chance to get treatment and rehabilitation.
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