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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Brits want cannabis legalised: Poll
Sky News
Friday 26 Oct 2001 A majority of British people believe cannabis should be legal and sold under licence in a similar way to alcohol, according to a new poll. Around 65% of those questioned agreed it should be legalised and an overwhelming 91% said it should be available on prescription from doctors to alleviate the pain of sufferers from diseases like multiple sclerosis. The poll, carried out for the News of the World, follows Home Secretary David Blunkett's announcement earlier this week of a significant liberalisation of the law on the drug. Dangerous While possession of cannabis will still be illegal, police will no longer be able to arrest those carrying it. It will also be reclassified as a Class C drug, putting it in the same category as anti-depressants or steroids. Around 56% of people aged 18-34 supported the Home Secretary's plans, according to the poll. Only among the over-55s was there a majority opposed to them. The survey reflected limited concern about the supposed health risks of cannabis itself, with alcohol and tobacco rated as more dangerous by a margin of almost two-to-one (45%-24%). Admit But there were worries over users progressing to other more harmful substances such as heroin and cocaine, with 47% saying cannabis led to harder drugs, compared to 41% who believe it does not. A majority of those quizzed (53%) said the proposed change in the law would make no difference to the number of people taking cannabis. Just 6% admitted having used it themselves, and 97% claimed that they would not use it in the future. A total of 603 Britons aged 18 or over were interviewed for the poll on October 25 and 26.
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