cannabisnews.com: Cannabis Relaxation Opposed by Majority
Cannabis Relaxation Opposed by Majority
Posted by CN Staff on July 30, 2002 at 20:54:22 PT
By Alan Travis, Home Affairs Editor
Source: Guardian Unlimited
The majority of British voters disapprove of the home secretary David Blunkett's decision to relax the penalties for possession of cannabis, according to this month's Guardian/ICM opinion poll. Some 53% of adult voters say they do not support the reclassification of cannabis as a less harmful drug. Only 38% say they support the move. But as ever when it comes to questions about drugs, the nation divides strictly according to age.
A clear majority of the younger generation, those under 35, back the new "softly, softly" approach to cannabis. Some 54% of those aged 18 to 24 approve of the change as do 55% of 25- to 34-year-olds. But the older generation remains firmly opposed with 54% of the 35- to 64-year-olds disapproving of the change. Opposition is strongest among the over 65s, 76% of whom say they do not like the new policy which will see the police adopt a "seize and warn" policy towards those they find in possession of small amounts of cannabis. The ICM poll coincides with the modification of the Lambeth experiment in south London under which cannabis users were cautioned but not arrested, to free police officers to concentrate on class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine. The modified Lambeth experiment, which comes into force today, will see it come into line with the policy announced by Mr Blunkett earlier this month. Police officers will no longer routinely arrest those they find in possession of cannabis but will instead adopt a "seize and warn" policy in most cases. They will only use their power of arrest for cannabis possession if there are "aggravating factors" such as the involvement of children, public order implications or "flagrant disregard of the law" such as smoking a joint in front of an officer. It is expected that the Metropolitan police will adopt the modified Lambeth policy across London this autumn in advance of parliamentary regulations which will implement the change nationwide next July. The details of the Guardian/ ICM poll show that attitudes towards cannabis possession also vary sharply according to social class and voting intention. Conservative voters are most hostile with 70% opposing the change and only 26% backing it. Labour voters are split down the middle, with 46% supporting Mr Blunkett and 45% against. There is a similar divide among Liberal Democrat voters despite their party's official policy of decriminalisation, with 46% against and 43% in favour. Views about cannabis also vary with social class. Generally approval ratings for the reform of the cannabis laws rises to 45% among the more affluent and middle class voters. Among working class and poorer voters the level of approval falls to 26% with 63% of social class DE voters - the unskilled and unemployed - opposed to any decision to relax the penalties for possessing cannabis. Crime figures show more than 100,000 people were charged with possessing a controlled drug in 2001-02. The overwhelming majority were for cannabis possession. The British crime survey recently found that 44% of people under 30 said they had tried cannabis. ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,002 voters aged over 18 by telephone between July 26 and 28 2002. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. Note: Britain divides along age, political and social faultlines over 'softly, softly' move, while fears grow of confusion with tobacco and alcohol. Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Author: Alan Travis, Home Affairs EditorPublished: Wednesday, July 31, 2002Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles:Young See Law Change as Green Light for Cannabishttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13584.shtmlBrits and Drugs - Special Report: The Nationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13583.shtmlPot Users Relax with New Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13410.shtmlBritain To Let Pot Smokers Off Lightlyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13384.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #5 posted by aolbites on July 31, 2002 at 07:22:16 PT
what did the poll ask?
bet the #'s would have been higher if they had asked about making it regulated [leagalised]prob asked if people thought it was a good idea doing what was done- and no it wasn't its the worst of both possibilities as many see it...why leave it in the hands of crims?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Windminstrel on July 31, 2002 at 07:19:34 PT
ah, the tyrany of the majority
The majority of the people in Germany hated the jews, but that didn't make the haulocost any less evil. Majority rule is evil more often than it's good -- it allows the majority to oppress whatever minority it chooses. "Democracy is 3 wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner"
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on July 31, 2002 at 06:05:38 PT:
Truly Odd
This is one of those rare instances in which the politicians are ahead of the curve with respect to public opinion. I strongly suspect that the success of the policy will rapidly change the situation. The British still retain a strong tradition of fair play, and heretofore, there has been none in the War on Drugs.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by dddd on July 31, 2002 at 01:31:32 PT
..The Influence of Generations...
...p4mes comment reminded me of this sort of theory that I entertained for many years....I assumed that when my generation grew up,and took control of the country,that surely sanity and peace would prevail..{.."my generation", would be ;"baby boomers",,(I guess),,I was born in '56' },,,but,,, anyway, I imagined that somehow, things would be taken over by the "normal people",,that I perhaps myopicly viewed as my "peers"...
....much to my chagrin,,,,,I came to realize that I was little more than a stupid flower child with a delusional assumption of things running their course,,and good would win over bad,,and that people would see right through the plastic passions of greedy political whorehouse corruptions ;big-dog shysters,,and Constitutionally blasphemous legistlations............. But....
....I was an idiot for believing this simpleton hopeful crap!...... We are now in a truly remarkable era of stunning Slimeball government!... Did we hear much "news" coverage of this sleazy late-nite law-makin'?;;
The Homeland Security Non-Debate
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)
July 30, 2002 Late Friday evening, after only a few short hours of debate,
Congress passed legislation creating a new Department of
Homeland Security. The new department represents the biggest
government reorganization since the creation of the Department
of Defense in the 1940s, and potentially the single biggest
expansion of the federal government in our history. Over
175,000 federal employees will be part of the new DHS, and if
history is any guide, it will take decades to get all of them
working together even marginally. In fact, some estimate that
the process of buying and leasing new offices, moving existing
offices, and getting all of the new DHS personnel using the
same computer and phone systems could take twenty years. So
much for streamlining the intelligence gathering process. Every American should know how quickly and thoughtlessly this
massive new bureaucracy is being created. A special House
committee made up of just a handful of members began writing
the bill only one week before the vote. In that short time they
managed to transform the President’s 50 page proposal for
consolidation of certain agencies into a 250 page spending
spree filled with unnecessary provisions to satisfy scores of
special interests. Most members did not see the final bill
until Wednesday, nor did they see many of the 100+ amendments
to the bill until Friday. The House debated the body of the
bill itself late Thursday night for only two hours! This may
serve the interests of members looking to highlight their
"accomplishments" at election time, but the American people
deserve far more serious consideration of possibly the most
important legislation passed during their lifetimes. Without
question, the new DHS will have a profound impact on the
freedom, prosperity, and safety of every American and their
grandchildren for decades to come. I did vote for several amendments to the bill that [Image]
would maintain the strength and independence of
federal agencies that are vitally important to the 14th
congressional district in Texas. However, I voted a resounding
NO on final passage. This legislation will have an even greater
negative impact than the terrible Patriot Act passed shortly
after September 11th. Ron Paul, M.D., represents the 14th Congressional District of
Texas in the United States House of Representatives.
...
People like Ron Paul,,Texas Republican,,are extremely rare ..
.........When you realize that legistlative decisions concerning laws of this magnitude,are being passed through quicker than a cheap seafood buffet,chased with Tijuana tap water...it just aint pretty.......
...nope....it aint even pretty from Outer Space.......7D..minus 3
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by p4me on July 30, 2002 at 22:36:12 PT
The opposition is dying off
Opposition is strongest among the over 65s, 76% of whom say they do not like the new policy which will see the police adopt a "seize and warn" policy towards those they find in possession of small amounts of cannabis.Well the old people that have suffered from decades of propaganda and really not knowledgeable about marijuana are dying off. So 53% against class C to 38% for. I really thought that there was more support than that. I thought about half were for legalisation outright. Well, the reform continues. I believe the prohibitionist still derive their opinion with a great lack of information and of course decades of brainwashing and misinformation.1,2
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment