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UK: Cannabis campaign boost

Sky News

Thursday 26 Jul 2001

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The campaign to legalise cannabis has taken an official step forward.A
Commons committee is investigating the possibility as part of a major
review of Government drugs policy.

And significantly, the committee has not limited its remit to
liberalisation of cannabis, but will also discuss decriminalising Class A
drugs like heroin and crack cocaine and the impact such a move would have
on crime, drug-related deaths and demand.

Shy away

Committee chairman Chris Mullin MP said: "There is a big debate going on
outside parliament amongst serious people in the criminal justice system,
including senior police officers, probation officers and members of the
judiciary.

"Until now, politicians have tended to shy away from it. But we think the
time has come for a serious assessment of the way we deal with drugs.
The committee, which will meet in October, will also examine whether
decriminalisation is desirable and if not, discuss "practical alternatives".

The move comes amid growing backbench calls, including from former Tory
Cabinet minister Peter Lilley, for the liberalisation of cannabis laws.

Rocked

This month police in Lambeth, south London, became the first to overlook
possession of small amounts of cannabis, saying they would now deal with
the offence by a formal warning rather than arrest.

The new committee will look at the effectiveness of the 10-year National
Strategy on drug misuse and take into account the Police Foundation's
report on drugs.

Drugs policy hit the headlines earlier this month when Mr Lilley rocked
die-hard traditionalists in the Conservative party with his call to
legalise cannabis.

The former deputy leader of the Tory party envisaged magistrates issuing
licences for outlets selling cannabis to over-18s.

Downing Street has firmly resisted any liberalisation of the drugs laws,
although Home Secretary David Blunkett has said there should be an "adult,
intelligent" debate on the issue.

 

 

 

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