|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Cannabis rethink backed
Richard Warburton Birmingham Post
Friday 23 Jan 2004 Business leaders, politicians and artists in Birmingham yesterday threw their support behind plans to soften the laws on cannabis use. However, as the Government today launches a UKP1 million campaign explaining the details of cannabis downgrading, the row against the drug's reclassification from Class B to Class C intensified. One leading Birmingham businessman called for it to be legalised while a city doctor said more research was desperately needed into its medical effects before its criminal status was lowered. John James, who is also a former head of the city's College of Law, said he was aware there could be negativeeffects of smoking cannabis but they were probably no worse than drinking to excess. 'I tried cannabis in my late 20s, was disappointed and never tried it again, but I think its less dangerous than alcohol, so I cant see why it cant be legalised,' he said. A host of other prominent Birmingham figures supported the Government's decision to downgrade the drug, saying it had acted correctly by stopping short of legalising it. Internationally-acclaimed Birmingham playwright David Edgar told The Post how he ate 'hash cakes' with his dying wife, former city councillor Eve Brook, as she recovered from chemotherapy in 1998. 'While Eve was recovering from chemotherapy some friends bought her some hash cakes that we ate and I know that it provided some comfort for Eve,' he said. 'It's not the demon people think it is but there are some unanswered questions that are now being addressed sensibly by David Blunkett. The change in the classification comes into force next Thursday. It will place it alongside anabolic steroids and prescription anti-biotics, meaning police will rarely make arrests for possession of small amounts of the drug. Dr Richard Newland, director of the private Newhall Medical Practice in Birmingham city centre, said more research needed to be carried out and he was concerned at the message the Government was putting across. 'By making it a Class C drug, it gives the message that it is okay to use and somehow milder,' he said. 'Of course, a lot of people who use it moderately will have no problems but there is no doubt that heavy use does cause mental health problems. The Government's advertising campaign aims to counter confusion and underline the message that cannabis will remain illegal. Tory leader Michael Howard denounced the reclassification as 'absurd' and said if his party gained power, it would reverse the policy. Challenged by Home Secretary David Blunkett to reveal whether he had used cannabis in the past, Mr Howard said if he did answer the question the entire shadow Cabinet would then face similar interrogation. Mr Blunkett said he had never smoked cannabis but if he had he would be 'transparent' because 40 per cent of under 30-year-olds have. 'I don't want to actually end up chasing them rather than actually chasing the dealers and the people who kill young people with crack and heroin,' he said. --=======689A19DE=======--
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!