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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Study finds 40% of Scots back legalisation of cannabis
Stephen Stewart The Herald, Glasgow
Wednesday 16 Jul 2003 CANNABIS is becoming more acceptable socially, with almost 40% of Scots currently supporting its legalisation, according to new research published yesterday. More people than ever believe the laws relating to cannabis must be changed, but a report from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) revealed there are still limits to what is acceptable in the area of illegal drug-taking. Attitudes towards cannabis have changed dramatically over the years, with 37% of Scots supporting legalisation compared with just 15% in 1983. Across the UK, 41% of people backed legalisation, up from just 12% in 1983. Just 8% of participants in the study endorsed the view that adults should be free to take any drugs they wish. Biz Ivol, the MS sufferer from Orkney who has campaigned for the medical use of cannabis during a high-profile court case, welcomed the findings. Ms Ivol, 56, had faced three charges of possessing, distributing and producing cannabis, but prosecutors dropped the case because of her deteriorating health. She said: "This shows that people have started to learn the truth about cannabis. It has never killed anyone and is beneficial for people with all sorts of neurological disorders, glaucoma, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. "Breweries and drug companies have a vested interest in making sure cannabis isn't legalised. Politicians get consultation fees from these huge companies and for years they have been saying that we have to wait for clinical trials (into the medical use of cannabis). "They have too much to lose." In the report, 1000 people in England and Wales and 1600 in Scotland were polled. Attitudes towards heroin remained very negative in Britain as a whole, with nine in ten believing it should stay illegal, the same proportion as in 1993. Ecstasy is seen in a similar light, with nine people in 10 believing it should remain illegal. As observed in 1995 research, the young, more educated, professionals and Londoners are more liberal in their attitudes towards the drug. However, Nina Stratford, of the National Centre for Social Research, who led the report, claimed that the increase in liberal attitudes was not confined to those groups. She said: "It is a society-wide phenomenon affecting all ages and social backgrounds." Fewer people now think that cannabis is harmful or addictive or that it causes crime and violence. When asked which drugs were the most harmful to regular users, heroin, cocaine, tobacco and alcohol were at the top of the list. Two-thirds of 18 to 34 year-old Britons have a friend or family member who has used illegal drugs, half have tried cannabis themselves, and only a third think that cannabis should remain illegal. Changing attitudes Mass support for changing legal position of cannabis - 41% in Britain and 37% in Scotland favour full legalisation. Clear distinction in public attitudes between cannabis and heroin or ecstasy. Cannabis perceived as less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco. Increased use of drugs may also have increased knowledge of their effects, and greater knowledge associated with more lenient attitudes. -July 16th
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