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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Voters want even softer line on cannabis
Patrick Sawer Evening Standard
Monday 26 Jan 2004 A majority of people want the Government to take an even softer line on cannabis than the reclassification which comes into force this week, a survey has revealed. More than 50 per cent of those questioned believe the drug should be further downgraded, decriminalised or even legalised. In legal terms, cannabis becomes a class C rather than class B drug this week - but over half those polled by YouGov thought neither sale nor possession should still be a criminal offence. Despite rising fears about the drug's effects on mental health, 23 per cent in the poll for the Daily Telegraph said it should be made completely legal, while 28 per cent backed decriminalisation. The survey of 2,500 people - one of the largest on public attitudes to drugs - found 52 per cent approve the Home Secretary's re-classification of cannabis. But 43 per cent believed selling or possessing it should still be a crime. While 44 per cent view cannabis as "seriously addictive", almost a third said alcohol presented society with greater problems than drugs. One reason for liberalisation's growing support is thought to be a desire to resolve the legal status of cannabis once and for all. It is feared there is widespread confusion among both the public and professionals about the practical effect of reclassification. Cannabis moves into class C on Thursday, to free up police time so officers can concentrate on harder drugs. But headteachers, drugs charities and lawyers have warned it is widely misunderstood - especially by teenagers. Professor John Henry, of Imperial College, told the Telegraph the survey showed people are unaware of the harmful effects of cannabis. "There would not be a drugs problem if people did not start on drugs," he said. "But the Government seems to be saying to young people, 'Hey, it's OK to try this.'" But the drug treatment charity Addaction said the poll reflected a "shift in understanding", with the public backing a more proportionate response to different drugs. Spokeswoman Rosie Brocklenhurst said: "The majority of people seem to understand why cannabis should be reclassified. "Many have had the experience of how damaging the postcode lottery of enforcement has been. "Young people's lives are blighted forever when they are forced into the criminal justice system, and through it some are coerced into a harder drug culture."
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