cannabisnews.com: Three Jailed Every Week for Using Cannabis










  Three Jailed Every Week for Using Cannabis

Posted by CN Staff on January 02, 2006 at 10:39:33 PT
By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent  
Source: Independent UK 

United Kingdom -- Cannabis smokers are still being jailed at the rate of three a week for using the drug, despite the move to downgrade it from a class B to class C substance. The punitive approach still being taken by courts in the face of government advice provoked accusations that otherwise law-abiding people were being needlessly imprisoned.
The disclosure comes as ministers agonise over whether to reverse the reclassification of cannabis in January 2004. Tony Blair is widely expected to order an about-turn after receiving medical advice that links regular cannabis use to mental illness.However, Home Office figures obtained by The Independent disclose that many courts still behave as if reclassification had not taken place and police are bringing far more prosecutions than was intended when the law was changed.The figures show that 13,302 people were convicted of possessing cannabis - not supplying or selling the drug - in 2004. A total of 161 received an immediate custodial sentence.Cannabis was reclassified by David Blunkett, the former home secretary, in an effort to enable police to channel their efforts into tackling the use of class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine.Although possession of cannabis remained illegal, police were advised not to arrest people smoking cannabis. They were told to confiscate the drug and give a warning.The possibility of fines and prison sentences of up to two years was retained, but was only intended for rare cases, such as carrying cannabis near schools or blowing smoke in a police officer's face.However, the Home Office statistics - the first time an official figure has been produced for convictions just for possession of cannabis - show prosecutions are being brought at the rate of more than 250 a week and three prison sentences handed down every week.Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said the figures were shocking. He said: "Millions of people in the UK have smoked cannabis and, while it's far from harmless in health terms, imprisoning someone for lighting a joint is a completely disproportionate response. That this is happening at a time of record prison overcrowding suggests some courts are badly out of touch. The prison places being wasted on cannabis users should be filled with those who destroy communities by dealing in hard drugs."Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review his predecessor's decision to downgrade cannabis. Mr Clarke and Tony Blair have aired concerns that it could have been a mistake, particular given the increasing use of higher-strength "skunk" cannabis in Britain.The ACMD is understood to have concluded that regular heavy use of cannabis can trigger psychosis, fuelling speculation that the Prime Minister could decide to reverse the reclassification. A decision is expected this month. Complete Title: Three Jailed Every Week for Using Cannabis, Despite Law Change Source: Independent (UK)Author:   Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent Published:  January 2, 2006 Copyright: 2006 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.Contact: letters independent.co.ukWebsite: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Related Articles: Blair Plans U-Turn on Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21371.shtmlHome Grown: Why Cannabis is New DIY Boomhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20912.shtmlHome-Grow Kits Fuel Cannabis Boom http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20737.shtml 

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Comment #25 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 20:13:10 PT
global_warming
"Has the Night seen your soul? Have you seen the Night? Do you see 'who is coming?"Too...sober...can't...quite...grasp...I've been through a pretty dark night before, though. I think it's been a bit past dawn for awhile.
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Comment #24 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 14:35:06 PT
c 24..Like the Berlin Wall
Cannabis and pROHIBITIONS,eNJOY the same pleasures,Power, Love,Our new yearis Green
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Comment #23 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 14:00:41 PT
For ever
Has the Night seen your soul?Have you seen the Night?Do you see 'who is coming?
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Comment #22 posted by ekim on January 02, 2006 at 13:53:19 PT
of the 13,302 how many have triggered psychosis
The figures show that 13,302 people were convicted of possessing cannabis - not supplying or selling the drug - in 2004. A total of 161 received an immediate custodial sentence.seems that the only psychosis triggered are those that will lose their paychecks.another mention of drug regulation today on NPR Talk of the Nation. the show was about what can be done for the inner citys. the caller said regulation will help everyone . the show guest said yes it would but given the current lawmakers it will take two generations to happen.
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Comment #21 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 13:36:50 PT
one platform
There is one only platformCannabis willforever remain a Spiritual Freedom.
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Comment #20 posted by Taylor121 on January 02, 2006 at 13:35:56 PT
Prohibitionists Attack Patients in Rhode Island
On Tuesday, January 3, the Rhode Island House of Representatives will be voting on whether to override Gov. Donald Carcieri's (R) veto of the Marijuana Policy Project's medical marijuana bill.Unfortunately, out-of-state prohibitionists have purchased thousands of dollars' worth of airtime on at least two major radio stations in Rhode Island to run this mean-spirited, deceptive ad:http://www.mpp.org/streaming/RI_SOS_Radio.mp3This ad is running right now in Rhode Island. There isn't enough time for MPP to produce and run a response ad, so we need to work harder than ever to ensure Rhode Island's House members vote for the override at 2:00 on Tuesday.Please donate now to pay for this last-minute push.If you contribute now and the Rhode Island House ends up overturning the veto, you'll be able to tell your friends and family that you helped pay for the lobbying campaign that succeeded in making medical marijuana legal in Rhode Island.If 60% of the representatives who are present vote for the override, MPP's bill will become law and take effect immediately. If all 75 House members are present, that means we'll need 45 votes to succeed. Victory is within reach.Would you please donate now so that Rhode Island can make history by becoming the first state in the nation to make medical marijuana legal by overriding the veto of a governor?Every year, 6,300 Rhode Islanders are diagnosed with cancer. And marijuana relieves the appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting that chemotherapy causes. Considering that 20% of all cancer deaths are caused by wasting, it's outrageous that using an effective treatment can land patients in prison.Please join the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Nurses Association, AIDS Project Rhode Island, and MPP to help pass the medical marijuana bill on Tuesday.Thank you,Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.
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Comment #19 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 13:26:38 PT
parties
Figure I'll just stream of consciousness a bit more here. Political parties are not issue advocates, although they use issues to get advocates to support them. Really, parties only want one thing: power. Politicians will lie to get your support, they will tell you they favor your issue, if they think they stand a better chance of being elected by doing so. But fundamentally, they don't care about your issue.Sometimes issue advocates are involved in politics, and they might even run for office, but you can distinguish them largely by recognizing that they say things that are not likely to increase their chances of being elected, but in fact are most certain to make them unelectable.There is a danger here, too, because issue advocates who run for office might get "flipped" in the interest of becoming more politically "viable". They might start moderating their language, compromising their positions, and taking on more and more of the dominant ideology, while encouraging their supporters to remain committed to themselves (thus "flipping" them as well).I prefer to abstain from politics.
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Comment #18 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 13:22:36 PT
niggas
using the term partisan and bright youth'we have investeddeeply into the soul of our world
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Comment #17 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 13:11:57 PT
partisans
Btw, gw, I'm using the term partisan not in the sense of being issue advocates, but members/supporters of a political "party", which I'm not.Thanks for the hug.
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Comment #16 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 13:11:56 PT
we all love you
whig.Thank you for being there, with all of us.
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Comment #15 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 13:08:54 PT
global_warming
I haven't in a few days, so I'm probably way too serious and out of touch at the moment.
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Comment #14 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 12:55:42 PT
hey whig
Partisans are here and Cannabis is the subject.Have you inhaled?Wish I could give you a 'hug,
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 12:53:19 PT

Whig
I don't think you understand what I mean. I only mean it would be nice to have a liberal type TV news channel. I am not talking at all about the Internet just TV News. I think the Internet is doing a good job.
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Comment #12 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 12:47:11 PT

FoM
Really, what I believe in is an independent (non-partisan) media, such as we have on the internet now. That isn't to say there aren't partisans here, but nobody gets to dominate the conversation, everyone's voice is equally capable of being heard. And those of us who don't favor any party at all have a voice, too. On the mainstream (broadcast) media, people like me don't have any voice at all.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 12:36:34 PT

global_warming 
You're welcome. 
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Comment #10 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 12:34:33 PT

thanks fom
That was a lot to digest, and I still support Soros, because he considers substance abuse a 'medical and social problem, Soros wants to remove the cops the judges and the mIIGHTY Judicial system from our lives, ..when did it become a criminal 'Act to smoke Cannabis in this USA?
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 12:23:33 PT

Whig
I don't think that far about who will run for President. I just mean Democrat or liberal leaning people needs a voice on the news like Republicans have on Fox News. I am not into politics so I am looking at the way people think on the right and the left if that is a good explanation.
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Comment #8 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 12:18:33 PT

FoM
"Thanks. I stopped watching MSNBC since they hired all those Republicans from Fox and CNN and I have been staying on CNN when watching news. Then I see they hired Bennett and it really bothered me. Fox is for Republicans and why can't CNN be for Democrats or liberal believing people?"The Republican and Democratic parties are really just two wings of one giant bird of prey, anyhow. If the Dems nominate Hillary in 2008, do you think she would end the war in Iraq or legalize cannabis?
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 12:16:29 PT

Global_Warming Here You Go
THE RETURN OF GEORGE SOROS By Cliff Kincaid (01/02/06) The Washington Post is in its scandal mode, hoping to hype the Jack Abramoff affair into something that will threaten Republican control of the House in the 2006 elections. Then the Democrats could initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bush. While this process unfolds, it would be wise for the public to consider the stories that aren’t being written or published. For example, whatever happened to convicted inside trader and billionaire currency speculator George Soros? He is the proponent of drug legalization who tried to buy the presidency for the Democratic Party in 2004. His other causes include needle exchanges for drug addicts, open borders, assisted suicide, voting rights for felons, abortion and homosexual rights. Soros makes Abramoff, who spent about $5 million on political influence operations, look like a piker. Soros reportedly spent $400 million in 2004 on his network of foundations and non-profit groups. In reference to his more than $20 million campaign to defeat President Bush in 2004, the National Legal and Policy Center filed a formal Complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Soros had violated the Federal Election Campaign Act by failing to report significant expenditures. Except for some payments to two columnists, Abramoff tried to influence politicians. Soros has a far more impressive record of influencing the press. Soros has put some of his massive fortune into press groups like Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE), the Fund for Investigative Journalism, and Center for Investigative Reporting. James V. Grimaldi, a Post reporter covering the Abramoff affair, is on the IRE board. These groups never subject Soros to scrutiny, except to strictly itemize how much money he is giving away. That earns him the title “philanthropist” or “financier,” but never “inside trader.” In the latest chapter of the Abramoff affair, the Washington Post on December 31 ran a 3,100 word article by R. Jeffrey Smith about Abramoff arranging contributions to a non-profit organization linked to Congressman Tom DeLay. This followed a 4,000–word article on December 29 about Abramoff written by Grimaldi and Susan Schmidt.One of the main points in the Smith article was that the group received money from a Russian source and DeLay voted for money for the International Monetary Fund, which was bailing out Russia. At the same time, DeLay opposed the IMF forcing Russia to raise taxes as a condition of receiving such assistance. Is there any evidence that DeLay’s votes or positions were somehow influenced by the Russian money to the non-profit group? No such evidence was presented.But because the names of Abramoff and DeLay were linked in the same article, the impression was created that there was something sinister going on. This is the name of the game—create a lot of smoke and hope the authorities light the fire by pressuring Abramoff to plead guilty to something. Then we can anticipate countless more stories about the Abramoff affair right up to election day. In order to understand the partisan game the Post is playing, you have to read between the lines of the story. Near the end of the story, Smith quoted one Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, “a nonpartisan watchdog group,” as offering an opinion about one aspect of the “scandal.”All of these so-called “nonpartisan watchdog groups” actually have an agenda. Noble’s group is funded by the usual list of liberal foundations, including the Open Society Institute of billionaire George Soros. This is one reason why you seldom read anything critical of George Soros. He funds some of the “watchdog groups” that supposedly monitor this “problem” of campaign financing for the public and the press.But the cover-up gets more serious than that, especially because of his opposition to virtually all measures taken to curtail drug use on a national and global basis. Don’t expect to see, for example, any stories about the reported Soros connection to Evo Morales, the new pro-Castro, pro-cocaine president of Bolivia.During the heat of the 2004 presidential campaign, House Speaker Dennis Hastert made headlines by accusing Soros of having links to the international campaign to legalize dangerous drugs. He specifically mentioned a Soros link to the Drug Policy Alliance and the Andean Confederation of Coca Leaf Producers. Morales was a key figure in this latter group.In response to the Morales win in the Bolivian presidential contest, Ethan Nadelmann of the Soros-funded Drug Policy Alliance declared that “Coca deserves the same opportunities to compete legally in international markets as coffee” and “Perhaps the time has come to put the coca back in Coca Cola.”The left-wing Washington Office on Latin America published a report in 2003 advocating accommodation of the coca producers in Bolivia. “It is crucial,” said the author, “that the U.S. government and international organizations permit the Bolivian government the necessary leverage to make key concessions” to the coca lobby. The funders of the study included the Open Society Institute.There used to be a time when journalists here and abroad exposed the forces behind dangerous mind-altering drugs. In perhaps the most sensational case, journalist Veronica Guerin exposed the criminal gangs behind drug dealing in Ireland. She was gunned down and murdered in 1996. “I am simply doing my job,” Guerin said. “I am letting the public know how this society operates.”In the powerful movie version of her life and death, in which actress Cate Blanchett plays the role of Guerin, she says about the drug trade, “Nobody is writing about it. Nobody cares.” She did so and paid the price.Nobody is writing about it much these days either. It’s easier to write about Abramoff.As for Soros, if you go to his personal website, the latest posting is an interview he gave National Public Radio last May, in which he claimed that he is only trying to spread democracy in the world—the same thing Bush is doing. He just opposes doing it by military means, he claims.But the new book, Media Cleansing: Dirty Reporting, documents how the fingerprints of the Soros network were all over the rationale for the U.S./NATO military operation in Kosovo. It was an operation conducted without the approval of the U.S. Congress or even the U.N. that Soros loves so much. The book by veteran journalist Peter Brock thoroughly documents how the Clinton Administration waged an illegal and unconstitutional war on Serbia for the benefit of radical Muslims in league with Osama bin Laden.On the matter of his conviction for inside trading, which occurred in 2002, he told NPR that he wants everyone to know that he is appealing that judgment and that calling him an inside trader is “unfair.” NPR reported that the label is being used by the “conservative” media against Soros. You can bet it won’t be used by the liberal press, which is in his back pocket. And that pocket is deep. *Ed: Views are those of individual authors and not necessarily those of American Daily. Copyright: 2003-2006 American Daily

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Comment #6 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 12:12:17 PT

5 subject
I only get a blank page in ffoxCould you post some of the article, I think that G Soros, that old rich man is very interesting, and would enjoy seeing his thoughts and words before my screen..
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 12:00:03 PT

Why I Mind Republicans
The Return of George Soros: http://www.americandaily.com/article/11006
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Comment #4 posted by global_warming on January 02, 2006 at 11:59:21 PT

regarding 2005
Cannabis smokers are still being jailed at the rate of three a week for using the drug, (also known as smoking the dried leaves of a natural plant) despite the move to downgrade it from a class B to class C substance.Tony Blair is widely expected to order an about-turn after receiving medical advice that links regular cannabis use to mental illness.-the only mental illness that I see is the Brits and the Americans are locked stepped and marching to war, when Johnny Comes Marching Home, Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer, the boys will shout,
The ladies they will all turn out,
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.http://www.instantknowledgenews.com/johnny.htm
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 11:40:11 PT

Whig
Thanks. I stopped watching MSNBC since they hired all those Republicans from Fox and CNN and I have been staying on CNN when watching news. Then I see they hired Bennett and it really bothered me. Fox is for Republicans and why can't CNN be for Democrats or liberal believing people? 
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Comment #2 posted by whig on January 02, 2006 at 11:27:19 PT

Why Bill Bennett
Because they traded Robert Novak to Fox?Because they want to appear "balanced" and nobody of character on the left OR right will defend this administration anymore?Really, you need to read this:http://balkin.blogspot.com/2006/01/so-much-for-presidents-assent-to.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 02, 2006 at 11:19:39 PT

Off Topic: Bill Bennett Joins CNN
I was happy that CNN got rid of many Republican news people and have more liberal people working for them now but why did they hire Bennett?Bill Bennett Reportedly Going to CNN: http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId=Cq7yqueidDxmTyMvUBMv0D
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