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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Scotland: MacDonald resurrects dope debate
BBC News Online
Friday 06 Jul 2001 The cannabis debate is now reignited in Scotland A former Tory cabinet minister's comments on cannabis has prompted MSP Margo MacDonald to resurrect a debate on the matter in Scotland. It is not the first time nationalist Ms MacDonald has raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament. She first tabled a motion on the matter in November 1999 which attracted a cross-party support of 45 MSPs. Margo Macdonald: Resubmitted motion On Friday she resubmitted the motion calling for an investigation into the use of cannabis north of the border. It came in the light of comments by Peter Lilley, the former deputy Conservative leader, who wants the drug to be legalised. He said: "We are forcing cannabis users into the arms of hard drugs pushers. It is that link I wish to break." Under Mr Lilley's proposals - set out in a Social Market Foundation pamphlet - magistrates could licence outlets selling cannabis to over- 18s. There would be limits on the amount sold and the drug would be taxed and carry a health warning. Peter Lilley: Existing laws are unenforceable Cultivation for personal use would be permitted. Ms MacDonald believes there is confusion which is arising south of the border on whether police forces are applying the law as it stands against cannabis users. Ms MacDonald said: "This is an unsatisfactory situation which places police officers in an invidious position, damages police and public relations, makes a mockery of our law-making political procedures and undermines respect for our legal system. "The Scottish Parliament's procedures allow it to move quicker than Westminster to tackle this democratic deficit and legal hypocrisy." It gets people into the habit of using drugs and that to my mind is the beginning of a slippery slope David Davidson MSP Scottish Tory list MSP David Davidson said cannabis was a "gateway drug", adding that he had first hand experience of the problems it posed to users. Mr Davidson said: "While I understand where he (Peter Lilley) is coming from I totally disagree with him. "In a former life I was a pharmacist and I can assure him there are side effects to do with cannabis that carry on the following week that can affect how people drive, how they work machinery and how their thinking processes work. "Whilst I accept there are many ingredients within cannabis if turned into proper medicines and they can be have proper uses in certain conditions, but it is after all a gateway drug. "It gets people into the habit of using drugs and that to my mind is the beginning of a slippery slope."
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