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'Legalise cannabis' says Lilley
BBC Online
Friday 06 Jul 2001 Cannabis remains a controversial issue at Westminster Peter Lilley, the former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, is calling for cannabis to be legalised and sold through special off- licences. Mr Lilley has urged the party's leadership contenders to think radically about the issue of decriminalising soft drugs. He believes one of the biggest handicaps of the Tories' general election campaign was the perception that the party's policies were negative and punitive. The comments coincide with the publication by the Social Market Foundation think-tank of a pamphlet by Mr Lilley in which he argues that the law on cannabis use is unenforceable and indefensible in a country where alcohol and nicotine are legal. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Lilley said: "On crime and asylum seekers as well as drugs, Conservatism seemed to be about locking people up. "It ought to be about setting people free. "Nothing could more vividly dramatise reaffirmation of our belief in freedom and personal responsibility than to move clearly in favour of liberalising the law on cannabis." Rethink This represents a policy shift for Mr Lilley, who earlier this week opposed a controversial government pilot scheme in the south London borough of Lambeth to allow people caught with small quantities of cannabis to be let off with a warning. He said the scheme would bring the police, the law and parliament into disrepute. Mr Lilley envisages that magistrates could issue licences for outlets selling cannabis to over-18s. Consumption would not be allowed on the premises or in public places and a limit would be imposed on the amount sold. The drug would be taxed and carry a health warning. Cultivation for personal use would be permitted. Far from encouraging young people to try harder drugs, Mr Lilley believes legalising cannabis will stop them coming into contact with drug pushers because they will not have to go to an illegal source to buy their supply. As a former Cabinet minister, he is the most senior figure in the Conservative party to make the case for decriminalising cannabis. Shifting opinions He is not the only Tory MP who is seeking to review the party's position on drugs. Speaking on BBC 1's Question Time, shadow chancellor Michael Portillo said the Tories had to be prepared to engage in a debate about calls for the legalisation of cannabis. Mr Portillo said: "I think the arguments on both sides are quite finely balanced, and I think they are complicated. "But a Conservative Party that I lead would certainly be happy to address those issues... "We should be the party that is open to new thinking... yes, we would consider this question." Mr Lilley is calling on the other leadership contenders to make it known where they stand on decriminalisation of cannabis.
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