BLAIR'S CABINET DIVIDED OVER LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

The Cabinet is split over whether cannabis should be legalized, it was
revealed yesterday.

Pressure piled on Tony Blair to ease his tough stance after a poll showed
that nearly 60 per cent of people think the personal use of pot should no
longer be a criminal offense.

Labour peer and barrister Helena Kennedy backed changing the law and said:
``There are a lot of people in the Cabinet who take the same view as
myself.''

Lady Kennedy, 50, was asked whether Home Secretary Jack Straw and Education
Secretary David Blunkett were the ``barriers'' to relaxing the laws against
smoking pot.

She said: ``Oh yes, I'm sure. Jack has for a number of years now been
rather firm on this. He should review his position.''

The Prime Minister said over the weekend he was against softening laws on
drug.

Lady Kennedy's outspoken comments came as a survey revealed a significant
shift in public attitudes toward dope smoking.

A MORI poll showed nearly six out of 10 people think using cannabis should
no longer be a criminal offense.