MORE SCOTS SAY CANNABIS SHOULD BE MADE LEGAL

SUPPORT for the legalisation of cannabis in Scotland has climbed to 43%
while less than half the adult population back continued criminalisation of
the drug, the ICM/Scotland on Sunday 2000 poll has revealed.

Just 48% of those surveyed favoured retaining the existing law, a dramatic
10 point drop on the findings of a similar poll four years ago, and the
first time support has fallen below the 50% mark.

The findings of the poll prove the gap is widening between public
perception of the risks associated with cannabis use and the 30-year-old
legislation which outlaws it. ICM interviewed more than 1,200 adults and
asked: "Do you think taking cannabis should continue to be against the law
or should it be made legal?"

Support for change was strongest in the 18 to 24 age group, 60% of whom
wanted the current law scrapped. However, abolition was still favoured by
49% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 47% of 45 to 54-year-olds.

Margo MacDonald, the MSP who attracted almost 40 signatures for her
parliamentary motion calling for a cannabis commission said: "We are coming
close to a majority opinion which, while not approving of cannabis use,
sees it in the same light as alcohol and tobacco."

The debate on cannabis has centred on the possibility of decriminalizing
its possession, as opposed to outright legalisation. decriminalisation
would effectively downgrade possession from a crime carrying a potential
prison sentence to an offence similar to a traffic infringement.

Linda Hendry, of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign in Scotland, said the poll
suggested little patience among the public for the middle ground of
decriminalisation. "It is good news that support of legalisation has
increased so much since the last poll. This is particularly encouraging
for the campaign to have cannabis for medical conditions such as MS."

Tory law and order spokesman Phil Gallie said: "The results are interesting
but politicians are there to do what they think is right for future
generations and they have got to look at the evidence. If cannabis can be
used medically I support that, but not for leisure use."

Alistair Ramsey, of Scotland Against Drugs, said the pro-abolition vote
would be lower if the public had more information about cannabis. "A study
in Glasgow revealed cannabis users run an increased risk of suffering lung
cancer. too much of the discussion on drugs is based on anecdotes. We
need proper research."

Roseanna Cunningham, chairwoman of the Scottish parliament's Justice and
Home affairs Committee, said she had no problem with a commission to
examine the law and cannabis. "I have doubts about what it would achieve.
Law in this area is a matter for Westminster and Tony Blair has ruled out
change," she said.