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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Solicitor calls for 'outdated' drugs law to be axed
David Watkinson Whitehaven News, Cumbria
Thursday 01 Apr 2004 A SOLICITOR made an outspoken attack on current drug laws this week at Whitehaven Magistrates Court, calling them 'outdated'. Marcus Nickson called for the Misuse of Drugs Act, originally conceived in 1971, to be taken off the statute books. 'There is a strong growing body of opinion that the Misuse of Drugs Act ought to be taken off the statute books,' he said. Mr Nickson added that criminalisation of drugs doesn't stop consumption and only increases crime. He made the comments when defending an Egremont man who appeared at court on three charges of drug possession. A small amount of cocaine, cannabis resin and nandrolone had been found at the man's home when it was raided by police. 'May I suggest there is no harm done to others, only to himself,' Mr Nickson told the court. He described the amount of cocaine found as a crumb and said the cannabis resin was no more than a shaving. He said the nandrolone, a form of anabolic steroid, had been bought more than two years ago but had not been used. The man admitted the offences and was told by presiding magistrate Lorraine Jackson that: 'I am sure you are aware that possession is still an offence in this country.' A spokesman for CADAS, the Cumbria Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service, said it was time to look at drugs laws. 'If the drug laws are not working isn't it time we had a proper debate,' he said. 'Drug use is increasing, even with prohibition. I think it is time to look at how this effects young people so we can help them be safe. 'I have never known people not take drugs because there is a law against it.' He said that CADAS, which focuses on reducing the harm caused to young people by drug use, had been 'waging the war on drugs' and from what they can see drug use is increasing, which shows that prohibition isn't working. He added: 'I can see what Mr Nickson is saying - drug use has been normalised in society.' Recent Government legislation saw cannabis downgraded from a Class B to a Class C drug in a move that saw local police officers operating a softly softly approach to possession of the drug. The re-classification was designed to allow police to focus more time and resources on tackling Class A drugs but Cumbria Constabulary has stressed that it remains an offence to possess cannabis and those breaking the law will face a range of penalties.
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