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Lords cannabis inquiry

Anthony Bevins

The Independent

Wednesday 11 Feb 1998

A high-powered investigation into the medical and
recreational use of cannabis is to be launched by
the House of Lords, with a report expected by
the end of the year.

The breakthrough Westminster inquiry comes five
months after the Independent on Sunday launched
its decriminalise cannabis campaign. It marks the
biggest step yet in the drive to relax the laws on
the drug's use. To date, the Government has
refused to allow a debate on the matter in the
Commons, despite calls from backbench Labour
MPs.

One factor in the Lords' decision was a report in
November from the British Medical Association,
urging Ministers to consider "changing the Misuse
of Drugs Act to allow the prescription of
cannabinoids [active chemical compounds in
cannabis]to patients with certain conditions
causing distress that are not adequately controlled
by existing treatments."

The BMA plea came after the Lord Chief Justice,
Lord Bingham, called for a debate on the issue,
saying: "It is a subject that deserves, in my
judgement, detached, objective, independent
consideration."

Lord Bingham's urging will be met by the Lords
Select Committeee investigation, to be chaired by
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Perry of Walton, a
former Professor of Pharmacology. The all-party
investigation's terms of reference are thought to
cover "the scientific case for and against relaxing
the prohibition on the medical and recreational
use of cannabis".


The inquiry is expected to start holding public
hearings, with evidence from expert witnesses,
after Easter, with a report that could be delivered
in the Autumn.

 

 

 

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