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UK: Grimsby and Cleethorpes MPs have their say on push to legalise cannabis
Grimsby Telegraph Thursday 24 Mar 2016 Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb succeeded in bringing his Cannabis (Legalisation and Regulation) Bill to a second reading on Wednesday. The North Norfolk MP said legalising cannabis could raise £1 billion in tax revenue, take profits away from criminal organisations and free-up police time. Meanwhile, regulation restrictions would impose limits on the potency of cannabis which could be sold over the counter and sale would be restricted for under 18-year-olds. But Tory Mr Vickers said the Government was right to hold firm over the issue. "The Government has made its position clear that there will be no moves to legalise cannabis or indeed any similar drug," said the Humber MP. "These so-called 'soft' drugs can lead on to serious addition with much more dangerous drugs. "There is also considerable evidence that, despite being called a 'soft' drug, cannabis can be extremely harmful to an individual's health. "To signal in anyway that these drugs were less dangerous than much of the medical evidence shows and to open them up for more widespread use would not be desirable." Mr Vickers admitted that he "sympathised" with those dealing with illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (MS) where cannabis can help with pain relief, but said he wanted to see more evidence before committing to such a change in the law for such patients. Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby, said she would reserve commenting on the issue until Mr Lamb's Bill comes to a second reading in the House of Commons. Mr Lamb proposed a 10-Minute Rule Bill on Wednesday, supported by the likes of former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and Green MP Caroline Lucas, which passed and will now come to the Commons for a second reading and debate on April 22. Mr Lamb said it was wrong to criminalise "tens of thousands of people every year" for using a drug the Prime Minister had allegedly tried. "It has been reported that [David Cameron] and others were caught smoking cannabis at Eton. He has gone on to do quite well," he said. It is unlikely that such a Bill, backed by a small group of MPs, will pass into law without Government support. http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Grimsby-Cleethorpes-MPs-say-push-legalise/story-28984810-detail/story.html
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