|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Drug reforms 'will not lead to cannabis cafes'
Ananova
Tuesday 30 Oct 2001 The reform of cannabis laws will not lead to Dutch-style coffee shops openly selling the drug, according to a Government official. Home Office director of drug strategy, Sue Killen, said supplying the drug will remain illegal. She said there is evidence that allowing it to be sold commercially results in more people using it. Ms Killen said the Government decided to retain criminal penalties for cannabis - for example a summons to court for possession - because the criminal system is more flexible than the civil courts. She told a Commons committee inquiry into drug policy that there would be no decriminalisation "in any way, shape or form". Ms Killen, however, did say that there is no evidence to suggest that reclassification leads to growth in cannabis use. She said: "Where there has been growth in cannabis use, it came with the commercialisation of cannabis by coffee shops in the Netherlands." Mr Blunkett last week announced he will consult with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about reclassifying cannabis from Class B to Class C. He wants police and courts to spend more of their time targeting hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. The proposed reforms will mean possession of small amounts of cannabis will no longer be an arrestable offence. The plans are likely to be rubber-stamped by the Advisory Council which first recommended the downgrading of cannabis 22 years ago.
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!