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UK: Cannabis vote 'right decision'
Alex Hanna Guernsey Press & Star
Friday 27 Feb 2004 THE decision not to reclassify cannabis will send out the right message. After yesterday's 40-13 States vote against the move, Home Affairs president Mike Torode said it would show that Guernsey 'does not do drugs'. 'I am very pleased that the House has made a good, sound, common-sense decision. This sends the right message beyond these shores.' He said that it was not just a political decision, but was backed up by medical evidence, which was hardening in highlighting the dangers of cannabis. 'It does not mean to say that cannabis cannot be used for therapeutic purposes, because it does have medicinal benefits, but if the drug is abused, it can be very harmful. 'I have never met a hard drugs user who had not started with cannabis. 'That is not to say that every cannabis user is going to go on to hard drugs, but it does illustrate its dangers.' Deputy Torode, who returned to the island only on Wednesday after a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in the Falkland Islands, said that he thought the decision reflected the view of the island. 'I knew the public reaction before I went away but obviously, being out of touch, I did not know if opinion had changed. But I was confident that common sense would prevail because the average Guernsey person is anti-drugs.' Board of Health president Peter Roffey said after yesterday's defeat that the failure to reclassify cannabis could undermine drugs education in the island. He said that the board was not particularly surprised by the result, but it did mean that cannabis was misclassified. 'We expected a fairly tough time, but I am disappointed that one drug made an exception by not following the ACMD's [advisory committee on the misuse of drugs] advice on classification. 'I am not sure what practical difference it will make and I don't think on the street it will make a huge difference, but it was a slightly dishonest approach which will undermine drug education.' He said that it would be important to be honest in education methods and not exaggerate the level of harm in comparison with other drugs. 'The Board of Health will respect the democratic decision taken today. 'I think it was wrong, but the States have the right to decide. Even though we have the power to reclassify, we would not dream of doing so after the very clear message that has been given today.' The States did agree to increase the sentencing available to the courts for supplying cannabis and to reduce the maximum penalty for cultivation from life to 14 years. 'It is important to be in line with the UK or we will be seen as a soft target,' said Deputy Roffey. Deputy Torode agreed that the proposals for maximum sentences had to be looked at but said that it was the magistrates who decided each individual punishment based on the evidence, so the changes were not a major issue.
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