Mr E. Moore
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 308
from ninemsn.com.au
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Britain signals easing of cannabis laws
AFP - Britain's Home Secretary has signalled a major rethink of the country's policy on drugs, urging a relaxation of cannabis possession laws.
David Blunkett, speaking in parliament, denied the move amounted to decriminalisation of the drug and said that cannabis would remain illegal.
But observers said it would mean cannabis smokers would be unlikely to face any consequences if they were caught with small amounts of the drug.
The move aims to free police time to concentrate on "hard" drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Blunkett proposed reclassifying possession of cannabis as a lower level of criminal offence to put it in legal terms in the same category as anti-depressants and steroids.
If this happens, the maximum prison sentence for cannabis possession would be two years.
"Reclassification would be quite different from decriminalisation or legalisation," said Blunkett.
"Cannabis would remain a controlled drug and using it a criminal offence.
"It would not detract from the simple message that all drugs are harmful and that no-one should take drugs."
Blunkett's proposal would mean that possession of cannabis would no longer be an "arrestable" offence.
Under existing laws, police cannot arrest a person unless he is suspected of having committed a crime which is punishable by a five-year jail term.
Mike Goodman, the director of Release, a national drug and alcohol advice charity, said society had finally "grown up".
"The announcement is hugely significant. The government has recognised and acknowledged that cannabis is different to the other drugs it is classed with."
He added: "It is far less dangerous and does not cause major social problems. I think this is the first step towards decriminalisation and effectively it ends the notion of people being arrested for possessing small amounts."
Mark Littlewood, of civil rights group Liberty, said Blunkett's announcement was "a small but welcome step in the right direction."
"The government should legalise personal use of cannabis and allow it to be sold under licence."
"It's also time for an urgent review of our drugs laws - they are outdated and need a thorough overhaul," Littlewood added
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Britain signals easing of cannabis laws
AFP - Britain's Home Secretary has signalled a major rethink of the country's policy on drugs, urging a relaxation of cannabis possession laws.
David Blunkett, speaking in parliament, denied the move amounted to decriminalisation of the drug and said that cannabis would remain illegal.
But observers said it would mean cannabis smokers would be unlikely to face any consequences if they were caught with small amounts of the drug.
The move aims to free police time to concentrate on "hard" drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Blunkett proposed reclassifying possession of cannabis as a lower level of criminal offence to put it in legal terms in the same category as anti-depressants and steroids.
If this happens, the maximum prison sentence for cannabis possession would be two years.
"Reclassification would be quite different from decriminalisation or legalisation," said Blunkett.
"Cannabis would remain a controlled drug and using it a criminal offence.
"It would not detract from the simple message that all drugs are harmful and that no-one should take drugs."
Blunkett's proposal would mean that possession of cannabis would no longer be an "arrestable" offence.
Under existing laws, police cannot arrest a person unless he is suspected of having committed a crime which is punishable by a five-year jail term.
Mike Goodman, the director of Release, a national drug and alcohol advice charity, said society had finally "grown up".
"The announcement is hugely significant. The government has recognised and acknowledged that cannabis is different to the other drugs it is classed with."
He added: "It is far less dangerous and does not cause major social problems. I think this is the first step towards decriminalisation and effectively it ends the notion of people being arrested for possessing small amounts."
Mark Littlewood, of civil rights group Liberty, said Blunkett's announcement was "a small but welcome step in the right direction."
"The government should legalise personal use of cannabis and allow it to be sold under licence."
"It's also time for an urgent review of our drugs laws - they are outdated and need a thorough overhaul," Littlewood added