'LEGALISE CANNABIS' SAYS LILLEY

Peter Lilley, the former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, is
calling for cannabis to be legalised and sold through special
off-licences. Mr Lilley has urged the party's leadership contenders
to think radically about the issue of decriminalising soft drugs.

He believes one of the biggest handicaps of the Tories' general
election campaign was the perception that the party's policies were
negative and punitive.

The comments coincide with the publication by the Social Market
Foundation think-tank of a pamphlet by Mr Lilley in which he argues
that the law on cannabis use is unenforceable and indefensible in a
country where alcohol and nicotine are legal.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Lilley said: "On crime and asylum
seekers as well as drugs, Conservatism seemed to be about locking
people up. "It ought to be about setting people free.

"Nothing could more vividly dramatise reaffirmation of our belief in
freedom and personal responsibility than to move clearly in favour of
liberalising the law on cannabis."

This represents a policy shift for Mr Lilley, who earlier this week
opposed a controversial government pilot scheme in the south London
borough of Lambeth to allow people caught with small quantities of
cannabis to be let off with a warning.

He said the scheme would bring the police, the law and parliament
into disrepute.

Mr Lilley envisages that magistrates could issue licences for outlets
selling cannabis to over-18s.

Consumption would not be allowed on the premises or in public places
and a limit would be imposed on the amount sold.

The drug would be taxed and carry a health warning.

Cultivation for personal use would be permitted.

He is not the only Tory MP who is seeking to review the party's
position on drugs.

Speaking on BBC 1's Question Time, shadow chancellor Michael Portillo
said the Tories had to be prepared to engage in a debate about calls
for the legalisation of cannabis.

Mr Portillo said: "I think the arguments on both sides are quite
finely balanced, and I think they are complicated.

"But a Conservative Party that I lead would certainly be happy to
address those issues...

"We should be the party that is open to new thinking... yes, we would
consider this question."