cannabisnews.com: UK: Scotland: Churchman Backs Cannabis Debate! 





UK: Scotland: Churchman Backs Cannabis Debate! 
Posted by FoM on August 19, 1999 at 06:57:16 PT
Source: BBC
Professor Donald Macleod is the second religious figure in Scotland to agree with Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy's call for a Royal Commission to investigate drugs legislation.
Just days ago, the Most Rev Richard Holloway - Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church - said he was in favour of an open debate and attacked what he described as the hysterical attitude towards drugs. Prof Donald Macleod: Drugs policy "hopeless failure" Prof Macleod, writing in the West Highland Free Press, described current drugs policies as hopeless failures. He said they had not reduced demand, supply, crime or the number of deaths linked to drugs. He said: "I do think it is quite illogical and hypocritical to be trying to criminalise cannabis and at the same time to be advertising and indeed packaging alcohol." The professor believes the list of tolerated drugs should be reviewed as part of a thorough policy rethink. He rejects the argument that using soft drugs lead to hard drugs because this omits alcohol and tobacco. Royal Commission The debate surrounding the legalisation of cannabis was back on the political agenda when Mr Kennedy, just days into his new role as leader of his party, said he wanted a Royal Commission to look at the whole treatment of drugs in Britain. A commission into drugs has been Lib Dem policy for many years after being passed at the party's annual conference, but former leader Paddy Ashdown played down the issue. Senior Scottish churchman Bishop Holloway has also made clear his views on the issue of using cannabis. He says he wants young people to be taught how to use recreational drugs responsibly. Bishop Holloway, who has admitted trying cannabis, said: "It seems to me that as long as it is handled in a responsible way and we teach our young people to live moderately and use these recreational substances moderately, then that is a wise policy." Thursday, August 19, 1999Published at 09:25 GMT 10:25 UK  'Cannabis' Bishop Urges Wider Debate - 8/16/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2517.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 19, 1999 at 13:45:31 PT:
Related Article
19-Aug-99EWTN News BriefGlobal Catholic Networkhttp://www.ewtn.com/ ANOTHER SCOTTISH CHURCHMEN SAYS LEGALIZE CANNABISEDINBURGHCatholic World Newshttp://www.cwnews.com/Another leading Scottish churchman on Thursday called for the legalization of cannabis and its narcotic products, including marijuana and hashish, joining a bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church.Donald Macleod, a theologian of the Free Church of Scotland, said: "I do not think that the evidence in the public domain about the effects of cannabis right now justifies locking people up for possessing it." His comments came just days after Bishop Richard Holloway, head of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said he once tried a form of cannabis and thought young people should be taught how to use it responsibly.Asked why so many church leaders were speaking out on the issue, Macleod said: "It's our job to speak out for those who can't. And we see too many young people whose lives are ruined by these laws." Several newspaper supported the call in their editorials. "It is time for adults to start being adult about the fact that millions of Britain's young people smoke cannabis ... we should examine the case for bringing the law more in line with reality," the Scotsman newspaper said.
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 19, 1999 at 07:38:02 PT:
Related Article
August 19 1999LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Kennedy's call for drugs reviewhttp://www.the-times.co.uk/ From the Headmaster of Giggleswick School Sir, I attended this morning the funeral of a 22-year-old man who had died of drug abuse following a six- year struggle against addiction. The anguish of the family and young friends at the graveside was as intense and tragic as any I have known. Here indeed was cut "the branch which might have grown full straight". Mr Charles Kennedy and the Bishop of Edinburgh (report and news in brief, August 16) need to examine their conscience as well as their political judgment before undermining our stance against the drug culture and its destructive potential. Yours faithfully, ANTHONY MILLARD,Headmaster, Giggleswick School,Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0DE.August 16. From Mr Hamish Crisp Sir, Charles Kennedy's call for a royal commission to examine drugs policy should surely give a much-needed opportunity to review progress in the past 20 years. Further imitation of the policies of the US, which has the worst drugs problem in the world, can never have a positive effect. That the UK has the worst record in Europe is sadly beyond dispute. Per- haps it might be prudent to have a look at the Dutch who, with their licensed coffee shops selling cannabis, now have the most successful drugs policy in all the world in terms of containing the level of use. They have failed, some would claim, because they have not eradicated drugs from their society. But any policy with a goal of total eradication is frankly ridiculous. I write as a medical cannabis user and founder member of the Medical Marijuana Co-operative (MMCO). Recreational and medicinal use are two separate, indeed disparate, issues. Anti-drugs campaigners in Scotland have suggested in response to Charles Kennedy's remarks that most people here do not want cannabis made legal. However, were there to be a referendum, I believe that people would overwhelmingly support its legalisation for medicinal use. I cannot understand those in power who would continue to identify us, a small but vulnerable social group, as deserving of being apprehended, and consequently prosecuted and punished for using the only means avail- able to effectively treat their conditions. These are not the actions of followers of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yours faithfully, HAMISH CRISP,10/18 Abbey Court,Edinburgh EH7 5XN.itsimth sumteeik.demon.co.ukAugust 16. From Mr David Crease Sir, To vote to legalise cannabis is not, as William Rees-Mogg puts it (article, August 16), "to vote for pot". It is to vote for liberty. The mere fact that a majority may disapprove is no sufficient case for banning behaviour of any sort by law. A liberal may not commit adultery, hunt foxes or smoke, but he is likely to defend the right of others to do so, whatever the majority may say. For Liberal Democrats liberty is a good - the more of it the better. And where limits have to be set between one's own liberty and that of others the matter can best be settled by taking a vote - that's how democracy comes into the party's title. It is the simplicity of this proposition which sets Liberal Democrats apart from the other two parties. I am, Sir, yours etc, DAVID CREASE (Chairman,Ryedale Liberal Democrats),Deer Park, Scampston,Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8HW.August 16. 
[ Post Comment ]

Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 19, 1999 at 07:05:15 PT:
Related Article
Click the link to read the complete article:
Young People Should Be Taught To Use Drugs Safely
[ Post Comment ]

Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: