SOFT DRUGS DEBATE WIDENS

THE Government today set its face firmly against decriminalising
cannabis amid a widening public debate over the legal framework for
so-called "soft" drugs.

Officials made clear that in any debate the Government's opposition as
to easing or abandoning legal controls over cannabis would be maintained.

However, comments by Home Secretary Jack Straw have been interpreted
as a sign that the Government acknowledges a shift in public thinking.

Referring yesterday to arguments over the possible use of cannabis as
a medical treatment for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, he
stated: "I have no problem whatever with this in principle."

Nine research initiatives have been authorised to see whether cannabis
could be safely used as a drug.

Mr Straw declared: "If the experts give the go-ahead, it will become
available on prescription."

He accepted that a wider debate was on the cards, and acknowledged
there was a "coherent argument" for legalising cannabis.

But he insisted almost in the same breath that the case in favour was
fatally flawed.

Scotland Yard rejected claims that Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Sir John Stevens was also arguing in favour of possible
decriminalisation, if Parliament decided that was appropriate.

Sir John, speaking in New York, said: "If cannabis was legalised, we'd
be fine with it, because that's a policeman's job. I'd work with it.

"If the law says it's illegal, then we enforce the laws. If they say
it's legal in Parliament, then so be it. I'm not saying legalise it."

The debate has gathered pace since last week's publication of a report
by the Police Foundation charity.

It proposed that individuals caught with small amounts of cannabis or
Ecstasy for personal use should not be sent to jail.

However, the Home Office swiftly rejected its findings on the basis
that any relaxation of the law would send wrong signals.

Writing in the News of the World yesterday, Mr Straw said was "always
up for a debate" on the strategy for tackling drugs misuse.

He also stated: "Although the Police Foundation did not go the whole
way to recommend this, I accept that there is a coherent argument in
favour of legalising cannabis."

While those who backed decriminalising argued that it had a different
effect from hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin, and that was no
more serious than alcohol or tobacco, the World Health Organisation
and the British Medical Association had repeatedl y concluded that it
is harmful, he added.

Mr Straw warned the UK risked taking over as the centre for Europe's
drug trade.