cannabisnews.com: 'Cannabis' Bishop Urges Wider Debate! 'Cannabis' Bishop Urges Wider Debate! Posted by FoM on August 16, 1999 at 12:06:05 PT Source: ITN Online A senior bishop who has admitted smoking cannabis is calling for a wider debate on the legalisation of drugs. The Most Rev Richard Holloway, the Bishop of Edinburgh, provoked widespread criticism by admitting he had tried the substance a few years ago.The comments by the Bishop, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, came as he prepared for the launch of his new book, Godless Morality, at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Monday.In it he argues politicians have difficult choices to make and raises the question of heroin being made available to addicts on prescription to stop the illegal trade in the drug.The Bishop's comments have prompted anger among anti-drugs campaigners.Gaillie McCann, of Mothers Against Drugs, accused him of abusing his position and called for his resignation."His job is to try and restore the morality we have lost in this country, not go the other way," she said.Conservative law and order spokeswoman Lyndsay Mackintosh said she too believed the Bishop should step down."The idea that cannabis is a recreational drug that won't hurt you is nonsense."Whether you take it in a cake or through a pipe, it does damage you."A spokesman for the Scottish Episcopal Church said Bishop Holloway had made the admission about using cannabis in an attempt to open up the drugs debate."He made the comments in the course of a much wider discussion about the whole legalisation question," said the spokesman."He believes we need to have more of a public debate on the whole question of legalisation."Pubdate: August 16, 1999Kennedy: Cannabis Must Not Be Taboo - 8/16/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2516.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 17, 1999 at 22:28:53 PT My Opinion Why I don't post anti marijuana news is that is all that has been shown to us by the media over the years and this is the truth as I see it. One important thing to remember is marijuana has never killed anyone but the laws against this herbal plant can literally wreck a persons life and that is very wrong. Even if a person doesn't approve of marijuana use the laws really cause far more harm then this medicinal plant could ever possibly cause!Peace, FoM! FoM's Freedom Page [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Question on August 17, 1999 at 06:21:21 PT Hypocrisy I don't get it...how is it that the many published studies that show marijuana is not a panacea and can have dangerous effects are all flawed, ignorant "prohibitionist propaganda," but all pro-pot assertions or studies are taken as gospel truth, no matter how implausible the statement or ridiculous the study design? A little balance would be appreciated, but I doubt I'll ever see it...too many narrow-minded, "my truth is the only truth" zealots in the legalization world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by steve1 on August 16, 1999 at 16:23:39 PT the nature of the evolution of thought It is the people that support ignorance and superstition which make this world bad. If people only listened to scientific facts the world would be a better place. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 16, 1999 at 15:21:18 PT: Churchman Calls for Cannabis 'Lessons' BBCMonday, August 16, 1999 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/Published at 18:20 GMT 19:20 UK One of Scotland's most senior churchmen is calling for young people to be taught how to use recreational drugs responsibly. The Most Rev Richard Holloway, Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said he supported the calls made by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy for a Royal Commission on Britain's current drugs legislation. Click the link to read the whole article. Churchman Calls for Cannabis 'Lessons' [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 16, 1999 at 12:49:57 PT: We Need More Like The Bishop! Sometimes I think there are only two types of people in the world. Ones that walks blindly following whatever will benefit them at the moment and then those who take time and contemplate the overall effects of an action and would not be motivated by money but by what is the right thing to do whether they think something is ok or not. The Bishop seems like the later type of person and oh how we need more like him all around the world.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dankhank on August 16, 1999 at 12:34:08 PT Strength cost of the drug war .........sorry for the typo ..... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dankhank on August 16, 1999 at 12:31:46 PT: Strength Shame on the critics of the "Man of God" and his call for a dialogue. It is precisely the typical response of the anti-sanity crowd that denies that a reasoned debate can be had. The Bishop is a strong man who KNOWS that the cost of the drug to the ssociety is prohibitive, and a terrible thing to happen to otherwise law-abiding people. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: