cannabisnews.com: Protect Private Cannabis Cultivators 





Protect Private Cannabis Cultivators 
Posted by CN Staff on March 17, 2003 at 20:51:13 PT
Leader
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Even liberal laws can lead to hardline pitfalls. To his credit, the home secretary agreed to the recommendations of the Police Foundation's inquiry into the drug laws to downgrade cannabis from category B to C in line with the risks that the drug poses. It was based on expert evidence that the 30-year-old current law, which is meant to categorise drugs by harmfulness, no longer reflected scientific, medical or sociological findings. There was widespread relief, not just in drug treatment circles, but the police too.
About 3 million people use the drug annually, including one-quarter of all young adults (aged 16 to 29). A war on cannabis is a war on young people. But to keep rightwingers happy, David Blunkett balanced his package with a draconian increase in sentences for trafficking in class C drugs - up to 14 years in prison. New research suggests an increasing proportion of cannabis in the UK is cultivated by users for personal consumption or use by friends. This trend has also be seen on the continent, in states like the Netherlands and Switzerland, which pioneered the sensible policy of separating soft from hard drugs. In the UK, this separation is still not so clear cut. Prosecutors have two options in dealing with cultivators: charging them with production (which is a trafficking offence), or applying the lesser charge of cultivation, which is on a par with possession. Both charges are used for similar offences. There are sound pragmatic reasons for ensuring users who cultivate their own cannabis are not treated as dealers. Their activities reduce the role of criminal gangs and destabilise the criminalised cannabis market. Private cultivators need promoting, not curbing. It is not too late to protect them. The current criminal justice bill should be amended so that grow-your-own, like possession, is treated as a minor offence. It could even win the home secretary some support. Polls suggest 60% of people believe cannabis should no longer be an offence. Complete Title: Home-Grown Reform: Protect Private Cannabis Cultivators Special Report: Drugs In Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2003Copyright: 2003 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special http://freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmHome-Grown Cannabis Outstrips Importshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15739.shtmlCannabis Economy Brings in £11bn http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15353.shtmlThe Real Danger of Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13784.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by Industrial Strength on March 18, 2003 at 01:52:03 PT
A good article!
I was in the UK and the attitude to cannabis is quite relaxed there (comparatively). Obviously there are exceptions, but I found most people quite understanding. One person I knew was allowed to grow one plant in his bedroom on the condition that he keep his job. How's that for positive reinforcement?? This article is one of the better ones I have seen (I have been away from the site for awhile though). I enjoyed "A war on cannabis is a war on young people". Good stuff!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 17, 2003 at 21:06:38 PT
I Agree
Very good idea! 
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