MPS WANT CANNABIS LAW EASED

THE campaign to legalise the use of cannabis is gaining support among
Labour MPs, according to a poll.

A majority of 116 Labour MPs taking part in a survey for the BBC's
World at One programme supported a substantial inquiry into the drug,
such as a royal commission.

The poll showed that nearly 80 of Tony Blair's backbenchers would be
prepared to vote for decriminalisation if it was recommended by a
royal commission, against 31 who said they would oppose it.

David Winnick, a Labour member of the Commons home affairs select
committee, predicted that cannabis would be decriminalised by the end
of this parliament.