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Friday, 6 July, 2001, 14:59 GMT 15:59 UK
Q & A: The dope on cannabis
What is cannabis? The drug causes the user to experience a "euphoric intoxication" (the so-called "high").
What are the current legal penalties associated with cannabis? Those found in possession of the drug could face a five-year prison term and an unlimited fine if the case reaches Crown Court.
People attempting to cultivate cannabis or found in possession of the drug "with intent to supply" could be confronted with a 14-year prison sentence.
How widespread is cannabis use? Given this level of usage (far higher than many of our European neighbours) it is not surprising that cannabis possession accounted for 78,000 of the 113,000 UK drug offences recorded in 1997.
What is decriminalisation? In January, Belgium chose to take this path. The Belgian police will continue to prosecute dealers and large-scale growers. Nor will Belgium tolerate the sale of le hasch in "coffee houses" - a practice its neighbour The Netherlands has allowed since 1976.
The Metropolitan Police have rejected claims that a trial project to stop arresting those found of cannabis in Lambeth, south London, is tantamount to legalisation. Those stopped by officers receive a warning. With 77% of drugs offences in the borough involving cannabis, the new regime frees police from the time-consuming arrest procedure so they can tackle "those selling crack and all the associated crime problems that brings with it". This move follows the lead of last year's Runciman inquiry which suggested downgrading cannabis to a "class C" drug - putting it on a par with many commonly prescribed painkillers and lessening sentences for those found in possession.
What is legalisation? Legalisation would presumably see cannabis taxed and sold only to those above a certain age - in line with the current regulation of tobacco and alcohol.
"Most of our professional witnesses agree that the adverse effects of cannabis fully justify prohibition. The only argument on the other side is that cannabis is arguably less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco."
Who supports legalisation? Former Labour frontbencher Mo Mowlam has argued that cannabis taxes could help fund the NHS. Keith Hellawell, the drug tsar, supports legalised medicinal use of the drug. Such limited legalisation has been pioneered in places such as Berkeley, California - where voters said those with chronic health problems could grow 10 plants per year. However, even this relaxation was put in jeopardy by a recent US Supreme Court ruling against any use of the drug.
Who is against legalisation? Despite the Lambeth experiment, the Met's commissioner Sir John Stevens is said to be happy with the current cannabis laws, even if enforcing them is a "low priority". |
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