I think you will make a mistake by limiting your call for law change to people with certain illnesses or conditions or by saying that they should get doctor's permission to be allowed to possess or use cannabis for their own use in their own homes.
TWO points - sick and hail people should have equal rights - the issue ought to be the question has their possession, use, cultivation - done any harm to or put at risk other people or their Rights, property etc - if not then they should all be left alone by the authorities - in fact they deserve the protection of the law when buying cannabis from licensed premises where quality is assured, credible information provided, and PROFITS taxed.
secondly, cannabis has a great vale as it relieves stress - it is a preventative medicine for all users - stress being one of the biggest causes of illness, violence, absenteeism and even premature death - why should well people be banned from such a substance?
I believe you would do well to STAND UP for all victimless cannabis users - in fact all victimless drug users - and also to promote the CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUB proposal:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cannabis-Social-Clubs-Proposal/145368762174099?v=info&edit_info=all#!/pages/Cannabis-Social-Clubs-Proposal/145368762174099?v=wall
Good luck in the election - please be our voice in the name of freedom of choice
Adam Lotun's Manifesto on Drugs
- It is my opinion that there should be a Royal Commission set-up to investigate, once and for all, the question of drugs use in our society, with it being clear that current prohibition through criminal sanctions is not working. In the interim, I call for an immediate suspension of all prosecutions for cannabis possession and use where it can be shown to be used for treating an illness where cannabis is recognised as a beneficial treatment, i.e. MS, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Aids, neurological pain, Glaucoma & Epilepsy, (the list goes on). This can be done before primary legislation is passed by recommendations to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It is morally wrong that a person should be persecuted and prosecuted for their choice in using what is proven to be a safe and effective alternative medicine for their illness, i.e. with Sativex, a tincture of cannabis plant extract that is licensed for medicinal use is so expensive that many PCT’s refuse to fund prescribing it. (Sativex is a cannabis derivative that is no different to what can be cheaply produced in any home kitchen).
- There needs to be more “honest” education in schools and public information about drugs and the changes in recreation drug use. Much of what is currently taught about drugs is propaganda, and not evidence based truths.
- There needs to be a change in the Law on Alcohol, so that the sale of Alcohol can only take place between 11am to 3pm and 7pm to 11am in local community public houses, clubs, supermarkets and off licences. There will be an argument for some venues that will continue to hold special all day licence, but this move will mean that local communities will not be subjected to drunken anti-social behavior at all hours of the day.
- It is my opinion that there should be smoking and non-smoking pubs and clubs, so that people can make their own choice as to where they go and what they choose to do or not do. Expanding the Royal Commission remit to look into all addictive drugs would help to ensure that a balanced view and cascading of educational information to support such ideas.
It's a start Alun, and like Adam I'm quite confident that a Royal Commission on the issue of drug use in UK society that he is calling for will result in what you and many others, (me included), are calling for.
ReplyDeletePlease remember that the UK has had two Royal Commissions already, on cannabis and hemp - the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in the 1890's and the 1960's Commission that led to the Wootton Report. The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission concluded that taxation was a better way to control cannabis than prohibition would be (there was no prohibition in India or the UK then). It also concluded that whereas the commission itself originated out of calls for controls due to claims that a large number of Inmates of the dreadful mental institutes in India were there because of cannabis, in fact it was the mental health problem that led to cannabis use.
ReplyDeleteThe 1960's commission also favoured a liberal attitude on cannabis.
In the event both Commission were IGNORED - and more recently the advice of two or more Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended cannabis as class C, which was ignored, and its chairman Prof Nutt sacked.
Another Royal Commission will mean a five to ten year delay - there are already plenty of reports stretching back over 100 years - no more are necessary - the Government simply needs to listen to its experts and act on that.
I am also concerned about the idea that so-called medicinal cannabis users whose use or cultivation is known to the police be exempt from prosecution which would be an unfair treatment of those not known of not suffering a dreadful ailment who may still be prosecuted - I am unsure whether that would be in line with Human Rights laws