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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Lib Dems support cannabis legalisation
Ananova Saturday 09 Mar 2002 Legalisation of cannabis has been adopted as official Liberal Democrat policy against the advice of the party's policy group. The effective decriminalisation of the drug was recommended in a paper put before the Lib Dem Spring conference. But delegates opted to go one step further and back legalisation, a policy that will now have to be included in the party's manifesto at the next election. They also voted at the Manchester gathering to accept a second amendment calling for doctors to be given the power to prescribe heroin to addicts. The policy represents the most far-reaching reform of drug laws proposed by a party and makes the Lib Dems the first of the big three to advocate the legalisation of cannabis. As well as ending jail terms for possession of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, it would also see ecstasy changed from a Class A to Class B drug. Mr Hughes says that is justified as the dance drug is in a "different league" to the more dangerous substances. He and colleagues stress that while users will escape jail the penalties for dealers will be toughened up, with the selling of drugs near schools leading to a longer sentence. Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, who has himself previously backed legalisation, did not take part in the discussion or vote. However, he said: "This has been an important debate about a difficult issue which the Liberal Democrats have had the courage to consider in a thoughtful and sensitive way. The party has decided that the criminal law should concentrate on the dealers, traffickers and exploiters of drugs rather than the users who need help and treatment."
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