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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Lib Dems plan to end prison for ecstasy users
Ananova
Tuesday 05 Mar 2002 Prison sentences for possessing ecstasy would be ended under drug reforms proposed by the Liberal Democrats. Proposals also include downgrading the drug from Class A to Class B. Those caught in possession should only be jailed if the drug had driven them to other forms of crime, they suggest. Cannabis would also be effectively decriminalised by the new plans. Users should not be prosecuted for growing the drug or selling small amounts of it on to friends. The paper also calls for the legalisation of cannabis for medical use. It would not be illegal to let people use it on your property although allowing dealing would still be a criminal offence, if the plans were accepted. The proposals will become official policy if approved by the party's spring conference in Manchester this weekend. Baroness Barker, conference committee chairman, said it would "irresponsible" not to address the controversial issue. She said the party would not "run away from" the challenge. She said: "There has been a trend over the last few years of politicians being scared away from controversial subjects." The drugs paper says Dame Runciman was right to call for an end to jail sentences for possessing Class B and C drugs for personal use in her report to the Police Foundation. However, it would be retained for those who "cause harm to others by property crime or violence" and dealing. Criminal penalties should remain but government guidance should state that prosecutions for use, cultivation of a small number of plants for personal use or "social" supply of the drug "is not in the public interest".
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