REEFER MADNESS-MPs HAVE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH REALITY

Betty Boothroyd warned chillingly upon her retirement of the dangerous
extent to which voters in general, and younger people in particular, were
becoming disengaged from the political process. There can be few better
examples of why this happens than the ludicrous game of 'Whodunnit?' being
played by - largely middle-aged - politicians in the past week over who had
once used cannabis. Only Charles Kennedy has been honest enough to admit
frankly what many MPs will say privately, that he believes cannabis should
be decriminalised.

There may be not yet be compelling arguments for entirely decriminalising
(and then, presumably, taxing) a drug which has uncertain medical
side-effects. However, there is already very substantial evidence that
cannabis does not inevitably lead, as its detractors have claimed, to the
abuse of harder drugs. If that were the case, half the Shadow Cabinet would
now be habitual users of heroin.

Almost six months ago, a lengthy Police Foundation inquiry, chaired by Dame
Ruth Runciman, recommended that cannabis be reclassified as a Class C drug.
Mere possession would therefore no longer incur a prison sentence and police
forces would universally treat it as low priority. This prescription could
test the water effectively - but still with safeguards - for possible future
legalisation. Mature politicians will now consider it seriously.