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UK: Cannabis decriminalisation hints in UK newspaper

Isle of Man Online

Monday 13 Aug 2001

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A STRONG hint has been given that the decriminalisation of cannabis for
recreational use could be looked into.

The Observer newspaper on Sunday quoted a senior government source as
saying: 'It certainly might be something to consider.'

There is already strong support for the legalisation of the drug for
medicinal purposes, with a select committee recommending that law enforcers
should show discretion with people caught using the drug for that reason.

The Island would lead the rest of Britain if it legalised the drug at any
level.

Home Affairs Minister Allan Bell believes cannabis should be legalised for
medical purposes.

He is quoted in the Observer as saying: 'It is just stupid to stop people
using cannabis when they are ill and in pain and it can help them
medically.'

The article was about the deregulation of licensing hours in the Island -
a
move which has attracted plenty of media attention over the past few weeks.

And Mr Bell believes that by tackling such serious issues the Island is
'forward thinking'.

He said: 'I think the Island shows it is willing to grasp social issues
which the UK has been reluctant to confront.'

He told the Observer: 'I think the mainland has a lot to learn from us.'

The issue of whether or not cannabis should be legalised for medicinal
purposes is one which will be ongoing.

The House of Keys select committee suggested that the administration in
power following the general election in November should monitor the
clinical research into the subject with a view to re-introducing or
amending a proposed bill by Onchan MHK Peter Karran.

This would allow doctors to issue licences to patients enabling them to use
cannabis for relief from a variety of medial conditions such as multiple
sclerosis.

The identity of the senior government source quoted was not revealed in the
Observer article.

 

 

 

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