HOW BRITAIN'S CANNABIS DEBATE UNFOLDED

OCT 5: At the Tory Party Conference, Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe
announces controversial proposals to introduce on-the-spot fines of UKP 100
to drug users. Her comments spark a backlash from drug campaigners and
police unions, saying they are unworkable, brand recreational users as
criminals and will not solve the drugs problem.

OCT 7/8: Six senior Tories admit they have tried cannabis at university,
undermining Miss Widdecombe's proposals. Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy
calls for legalisation of the drug.

OCT 9: In Cumbria, two city councillors admit to having tried the drug and
Penrith MP David Maclean brands users as "creeps without a life". Another
senior Tory comes out with an admission that he has tried cannabis. Local
Lib Dem Euro MP Chris Davies backs his parties stance in favour of
legalisation.

OCT 12: Two Cumbrian candidates announce their intention to stand for the
Legalise Cannabis Alliance in next year's general election. Former Carlisle
mayor Colin Paisley says he hopes to stand for Carlisle, and Mark Gibson,
of Alston, is to take on David Maclean in Penrith and the Border.

OCT 13: Cumbria's Chief Constable Colin Phillips tells The Cumberland News
that he believes the drug will be legalised and admits he would turn a
blind eye if it was smoked in front of him at a friend's house.

OCT 14: Mr Phillips's comments are reported in national newspapers and put
to the Prime Minister on Radio 4 by Today presenter John Humphrys. Mr Blair
repeats his refusal to consider legalisation.

OCT 15: A MORI poll shows six out of 10 people think the cannabis laws
should be scrapped and nine out of 10 think it should be available on
prescription. Results of the first medical trials of the effects of
cannabis on six people conclude that "there were no safety concerns". The
chief scientist of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society adds his comments to
the debate, saying he believes the drug will be legalised for prescription
within two years, and that full legalisation willd "almost certainly" follow.

OCT 16: A Carlisle man becomes the first in the UK to challenge charges of
cultivating the drug as a breach of Human Rights.

Forty-year-old Alan Mason claims a "necessity defence" to charges of
cultivating 50 cannabis plants in his Stonegarth home at Carlisle Crown
Court. His case is adjourned. The chairman of Cumbria police authority, Reg
Watson, pledges his support for the Chief Constable's comments, saying it
was "appalling'' that users face a criminal record for smoking a joint.

Privately, police officers admit that their Chief Constable's remarks about
cannabis have put them in a difficult position.

OCT 17: The Chief Constable sends an e-mail to his force, clarifying his
position. He does not regret his comments, he insists, and says that all
officers have to use their own discretion when making arrests.

OCT 18: Police Federation rep Kate Rowley hits out at the Chief Constable
and Mr Watson, saying that it is not clear if officers making arrests would
have the support of senior managers. To Mr Watson, she adds: "You want the
law changed, your party is in government. Do something about it.

"Don't expect the officers of this county to read minds and know which law
this week is on special offer at a cheap rate."