YES WE'VE SMOKED CANNABIS, SAY THIRD OF FINANCIAL BOSSES

A third of Britain's top financial bosses have admitted smoking cannabis, a
report reveals today.

The findings will come as a further blow to the Governments attempts curb
the use of the drug amid growing calls for it to be decriminalised.

Last week, an EU report showed that 1 in 10 British adults used cannabis in
the past year, today's survey of 250 finance directors, published in the
magazine Accountancy Age, found even those who had not tried cannabis
believe the zero tolerance policy proposed by Ann Widdicome at the
conservative conference last month is "unworkable",

One director said: "a quarter of the population would end up with criminal
records. The courts and police would not be able to cope."

Another said he had tried it "just like 66% of the population", adding:
"cannabis should be treated in the same way that alcohol is."

A recent report showed a two-to-one majority now favour decriminalisation
of cannabis, and seven senior Tories, including members of William Hauges
shadow cabinet, also owned up to using the drug at some stage.

Pressure is now growing on the Government to implement a full scale revue
of the law, or set up a national revue body.

Ruth Lea, head of policy at the institute of directors said: "It is clear
from this and other surveys that the current policy on cannabis is
unworkable."

"The people of Britain are looking for relaxed laws. I have not tried it
myself, but many of my friends have. it is their choice. Directors are just
part of the population, so why shouldn't some have tried it?

And many have the feeling that laws are out moded. I am not going to
condemn then."

Business groups said that the findings are unsurprising and warned the
Government not to ignore the views of bosses. However, Labour is likely to
remain unimpressed with call for laws to be relaxed.

Deputy prime minister John Prescott and home secretary Jack Straw are hard
liners against drugs, and recent evidence revealed that cannabis is highly
addictive and dangerous.

Scientists believe that cannabis more likely to cause cancer than tobacco.

A cabinet minister spokesperson said last night: " the Government has a
10-year anti-drugs plan. We have a report out soon and our policy on
cannabis remains the same. It is illegal and a criminal offence."

The Governments second annual report on drugs is due to be published on
November 7th.