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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Straw rejects criticism over cannabis stance
Ananova Wednesday 10 Jan 2001 The Home Secretary says the Government doesn't agree with the foundation's proposals for cannabis as it considers the proposal would amount to the effective decriminalisation of cannabis. He says the Labour leadership does not think it prudent or sensible to change the legislation on any drug. Mr Straw said: "One of the problems behind street robbery, for example, is drugs. There is no question that if you ease up on the controls on cannabis you get an increase in consumption, not only of cannabis, but probably also of other drugs and therefore of other crime." The Government would be led by the research, he added. But Dame Ruth Runciman is calliing for a cut in penalties for cannabis, ecstasy and LSD in the report of a Police Foundation inquiry she chaired last year. Dame Ruth is repeating her warning that the Government can not afford ignore the debate over drugs. However, Drugs Tsar Keith Hellawell, who has been asked to examine the report, insists the law will not change. Dame Ruth, who is set to address a Joseph Rowntree Foundation conference on the issue, said: "Our drug laws need some review after 30 years to make them more accurate, more enforceable and fairer." "I don't see how in the end they (the Government) can avoid joining in what should be a common sense, undogmatic and constructive debate." Penalties have to be proportionate to the risk of the drug, she has told the BBC.
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