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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Mixed welcome for cannabis move
The News, Portsmouth
Tuesday 23 Oct 2001 A POLICE representative has slammed home secretary David Blunkett's decision to declassify cannabis as a 'gimmick'. Police federation chairman Alan Gordon, the voice for almost 3,500 of the county's rank-and-file officers, said Mr Blunkett was giving out the wrong message. The home secretary yesterday announced plans to make cannabis a class 'C' drug - the same as anti-depressants and steroids. Sergeant Gordon, from Hampshire said: 'I don't agree with what is effectively decriminalisation when the true health effects of cannabis are still unknown. 'At a time when we are trying to stop youngsters smoking we are basically encouraging them to smoke another substance, and that is regrettable. 'I believe it's a gimmick by the home secretary, a fudge. It is hardly going to help front-line officers.' Sgt Gordon stressed his was a personal view as the Federation had not yet had time to discuss the issue. Hampshire assistant chief constable Colin Smith said: 'It's still an offence to possess cannabis with intent to supply and our policy on cannabis possession is unchanged. 'Officers will continue to use their discretion when dealing with offences of possession. While the status of cannabis has dropped it has not been decriminalised and as such our policy hasn't changed.' But Hampshire Police Authority member and Portsmouth City Councillor Jason Fazackarley said: 'I have been arguing for this for some time and I support the move. It's sensible because it takes pressure off the police and it's not a dangerous drug. I consider alcohol to be far worse.''
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