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| Reduce Marijuana Penalties, UK Legislators Say |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 22, 2002 at 10:20:55 PT By Mike Wendling, CNSNews.com London Bureau Chief Source: CNSNews.com 
A legislative committee examining Britain's drug laws released a report Wednesday proposing several major policy changes, including reducing penalties for cannabis possession.But while a suggestion to downgrade marijuana has received support from justice officials, a recommendation to lower the status of the club drug ecstasy was dismissed by the government. Under the proposals, cannabis would be downgraded from Class B to Class C in Britain. Possession of Class B drugs is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine, while the maximum penalty for Class C possession is two years. Police officers would also no longer be able to arrest those caught with small amounts of marijuana. The Commons Home Affairs committee also recommended moving ecstasy from Class A - which includes heroin and cocaine - to Class B, where it would be prosecuted on a level with amphetamines. But Home Secretary David Blunkett rejected the idea. "Reclassification of ecstasy is not on the Government's agenda. Ecstasy can, and does, kill unpredictably and there is no such thing as a safe dose," he said. The report came at the end of months of hearings by the committee, during which members solicited the views of campaigners, charity workers, doctors, academics and law enforcement officials. In the end, committee members suggested a wholesale rethink of British drug policy. "Policies based wholly or mainly on enforcement are destined to fail," the report concluded. "It remains an unhappy fact that the best efforts of police and customs officials have had little, if any, impact on the availability of illegal drugs and this is reflected in the prices on the street which are as low as they have ever been." The report also recommended: * The introduction of a new criminal offense of "supply for gain" to distinguish between large-scale drug dealers and small-time drug peddlers who sell to mostly recreational users. * State-funded prescriptions for heroin addicts. * A pilot program of "shooting galleries," places where heroin abusers would be provided with clean needles and cajoled into treatment programs. The report will likely form the basis for new drug legislation. The committee members declined to consider any widespread legalization of drugs, saying that the number of users would inevitably increase if such a plan were put into place. "Many sensible and thoughtful people have argued that we should go a step further and embrace legalisation and regulation of all or most presently illegal drugs," the report said. "They are overlooking the fact that the overwhelming majority of young people do not use drugs and that many are deterred by the prospect of breaking the law." Legalization advocates welcomed the changes, but the Conservative Party leadership questioned the committee's findings. Steve Rolls, a spokesman for the pro-legalization group Transform, said the report contained "detailed and pragmatic solutions" to the drug problem. "These sorts of reforms can take place within the current legal framework," he said. Transform urged the government to accept the committee's findings and plough ahead with the suggested measures. "The government are in a difficult position. They are keen to embrace reforms without appearing soft on drugs," Roll said. "But public opinion is moving fast on this and if they're afraid that reform is going to cost them politically, they shouldn't be." Although the Commons committee contained several Conservative M.P.'s, the Tory leadership was skeptical of the report's conclusions. "Do we actually want our children to be taking more drugs?" Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said in an interview. "Questions need to be answered before we start playing games and experimenting." The Conservatives are currently undertaking their own review of drug policy. Home Affairs spokesman Oliver Letwin said the Tories would carefully examine laws in the United States and other countries. "Our intention is to define and set out a comprehensive Conservative policy on drug abuse which will have, as its aim, the reduction of drugs dependency in the United Kingdom," he said in a statement. Home Affairs - Third Report: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmhaff/318/31802.htm Source: CNSNews.com Related Articles & Web Sites: Transform UK Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special MPs Move Away from Retribution MPs Signal New Era in Drugs War Make Love Not War - Leader Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #6 posted by Lehder on May 22, 2002 at 18:34:05 PT |
| When Kennedy gave his famous speech in Berlin the crowds chanted, "Kennedy! Kennedy!" He rode through the city in an open convertible and women handed him bouquets as men shook his hand and grabbed at his cufflinks for souvenirs. Care to try that, George? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by mayan on May 22, 2002 at 18:29:25 PT |
| I couldn't agree more. They are attempting to control us through fear. Every time they feel threatened they just throw down their "terror alert" card. How many times will they cry wolf? Maybe they will allow(or initiate)another attack to lend themselves credibility. Don't think they would? Sure they would... U.S. Military Drafted Plans to Terrorize U.S. Cities to Provoke War With Cuba: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/jointchiefs_010501.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 22, 2002 at 18:21:21 PT |
| I see the latest fears produced by the White House and media as a destraction. These fears distract the public from seeing the failure of this government, 1st to address the warnings given before 9/11, 2nd the failure to protect its citizens.
When people are told they're threatened by terrorism they're more likely to forget about the initial failure of government and more likely to endorse immediate action. Once all the stress is applied the sheep may be ready and eggar for the war Bush & company want. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by mayan on May 22, 2002 at 17:33:41 PT |
| It looks as though most of Europe will further distance itself from Washington. Their media isn't as protective of the Shrub as the U.S. media. They have a greater understanding that this whole war on terror is fake. As Bush Arrives in Europe Thousands Protest: http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/05.23Bb.Bush.EU.3.htm Daschle Calls for 9-11 Independent Commission: http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/05.23A.Daschle.Ind.911.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2002 at 11:02:23 PT |
| * The introduction of a new criminal offense of "supply for gain" to distinguish between large-scale drug dealers and small-time drug peddlers who sell to mostly recreational users.
So there is a new special crime for marijuana capitalism, whereas marijuana socialism will be tolerated and largely left alone? Marx and Engels must be chuckling from beyond the grave. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by The GCW on May 22, 2002 at 10:23:45 PT |
| "The government are in a difficult position. They are keen to embrace reforms without appearing soft on drugs," Roll said. "But public opinion is moving fast on this and if they're afraid that reform is going to cost them politically, they shouldn't be." Tsunami, tidal waves will hit. [ Post Comment ] |
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