cannabisnews.com: David Blunkett's Speech on Cannabis 





David Blunkett's Speech on Cannabis 
Posted by CN Staff on July 10, 2002 at 09:23:33 PT
Full text on the reclassification of cannabis
Source: Guardian Unlimited UK
All controlled drugs are harmful and will remain illegal. We must concentrate our efforts on the drugs that cause the most harm, while sending a credible message to young people. I will therefore ask parliament to reclassify cannabis from class B to class C. I have considered the recommendations of the home affairs committee, and the advice given to me by the ACMD medical experts that the current classification of cannabis is disproportionate in relation to the harm that it causes.
It is important to remember that cannabis is a harmful substance that still requires strict controls to be maintained, hence its classification as a class C drug. I therefore have no intention of either decriminalising or legalising the production, supply or possession of cannabis.It is critical that police can maintain public order. Where cannabis possession is linked to aggravated behaviour that threatens public order the police will retain the power of arrest. In the majority of cases, however, officers will issue a warning and seize the drugs.The report of the home affairs committee's inquiry has been a welcome, thorough and thought provoking contribution to the debate. I have been able to embrace many of their central recommendations, including their call for a renewed effort on education and harm minimisation, an appropriate extension of heroin prescribing and a focus on class A drugs and problem drug users.I cannot accept the proposal from the committee to reclassify ecstasy from class A to class B. We still have much to learn about the long-term harm that it causes, but what we do know is that ecstasy can kill unpredictably and that there is no such thing as a safe dose. I believe all killer drugs such as ecstasy should remain in class A. I also want to express caution on the recommendation by the committee to pilot the use of safe injecting rooms for heroin users.We need to maintain our focus on faster and more effective treatment and the public health effects of drugs. The additional £183m over the next three years that we are announcing today will help us to do this.A full updated drugs strategy and targets will be published once the current spending review has concluded and after further consultation with key stakeholders. However, I can tell you now that substantial progress in delivering the strategy has been made. I know more is needed and I am committed to ensure it happens.The government intends to bring forward legislation to increase the maximum penalty for supplying and dealing in class C drugs from five years' to 14 years' imprisonment. This will deal with the issue of the peddling of a range of drugs falling into different classifications.Anyone attempting to open so-called "cannabis-cafes", which either supply or allow the use of cannabis on their premises, will continue to break the law. The government would expect the police to respond swiftly and effectively to any such attempt to defy the law. Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlNote: Full text of the home secretary's announcement of the reclassification of cannabis.Source: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: comment guardian.co.uk Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special http://freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmCannabis To Be Downgraded http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13354.shtmlTop Drugs Adviser Quits Over Cannabis Plans http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13349.shtmlPolice Fear Muddle Over Cannabis Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13345.shtmlSofter Line for Cannabis Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13344.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by John Tyler on July 10, 2002 at 13:35:31 PT
controlled drugs
There is a definition problem here. The way I see it, illegal drugs are not controlled. Legal grugs are controlled. 
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Comment #1 posted by Nasarius on July 10, 2002 at 12:54:20 PT
Huh?
"All controlled drugs are harmful and will remain illegal."Alcohol is clearly more harmful than cannabis.
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