How Britains Cannabis Debate Unfolded

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News & Star, Cumbria

Wednesday 18 Oct 2000

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Website: http://www.news-and-star.co.uk/

HOW BRITAIN'S CANNABIS DEBATE UNFOLDED

OCT 5: At the Tory Party Conference, Shadow Home Secretary Ann
Widdecombe announces controversial proposals to introduce on-the-spot
fines of UKP 100 to drug users. Her comments spark a backlash from drug
campaigners and police unions, saying they are unworkable, brand
recreational users as criminals and will not solve the drugs problem.

OCT 7/8: Six senior Tories admit they have tried cannabis at university,
undermining Miss Widdecombe's proposals. Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy
calls for legalisation of the drug.

OCT 9: In Cumbria, two city councillors admit to having tried the drug
and Penrith MP David Maclean brands users as "creeps without a life".
Another senior Tory comes out with an admission that he has tried
cannabis. Local Lib Dem Euro MP Chris Davies backs his parties stance
in favour of legalisation.

OCT 12: Two Cumbrian candidates announce their intention to stand for
the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in next year's general election. Former
Carlisle mayor Colin Paisley says he hopes to stand for Carlisle, and
Mark Gibson, of Alston, is to take on David Maclean in Penrith and the
Border.

OCT 13: Cumbria's Chief Constable Colin Phillips tells The Cumberland
News that he believes the drug will be legalised and admits he would
turn a blind eye if it was smoked in front of him at a friend's house.

OCT 14: Mr Phillips's comments are reported in national newspapers and
put to the Prime Minister on Radio 4 by Today presenter John Humphrys.
Mr Blair repeats his refusal to consider legalisation.

OCT 15: A MORI poll shows six out of 10 people think the cannabis laws
should be scrapped and nine out of 10 think it should be available on
prescription. Results of the first medical trials of the effects of
cannabis on six people conclude that "there were no safety concerns".
The chief scientist of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society adds his
comments to the debate, saying he believes the drug will be legalised
for prescription within two years, and that full legalisation willd
"almost certainly" follow.

OCT 16: A Carlisle man becomes the first in the UK to challenge charges
of cultivating the drug as a breach of Human Rights.

Forty-year-old Alan Mason claims a "necessity defence" to charges of
cultivating 50 cannabis plants in his Stonegarth home at Carlisle Crown
Court. His case is adjourned. The chairman of Cumbria police
authority, Reg Watson, pledges his support for the Chief Constable's
comments, saying it was "appalling'' that users face a criminal record
for smoking a joint.

Privately, police officers admit that their Chief Constable's remarks
about cannabis have put them in a difficult position.

OCT 17: The Chief Constable sends an e-mail to his force, clarifying his
position. He does not regret his comments, he insists, and says that
all officers have to use their own discretion when making arrests.

OCT 18: Police Federation rep Kate Rowley hits out at the Chief
Constable and Mr Watson, saying that it is not clear if officers making
arrests would have the support of senior managers. To Mr Watson, she
adds: "You want the law changed, your party is in government. Do
something about it.

"Don't expect the officers of this county to read minds and know which
law this week is on special offer at a cheap rate."

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