CANNABIS WHY IS THE LAW AN ASS

MAGISTRATES in Wales have fined a woman £200 for possessing a tiny piece of
cannabis with an estimated street value of 50p, writes Graham Ball.

The 23yearold single mother pleaded guilty to having 0.2 grammes of
cannabis at her home in Cenarth, Dyfed, and on top of the fine, was ordered
to pay £40 costs. Her solicitor, Mr Alan Lewis, said: "The drug seized was
no more than the size of a grain of rice, barely enough to smoke. It was so
small she could have brushed it off the table and no one would have known."
In a plea of mitigation against the size of the fine, the South Ceredigion
bench was told the woman was already in financial difficulty, and was about
to have her home repossessed.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that fatcat drug dealers can register their
dopedealing business with the Inland Revenue and enjoy confidential
treatment. As the law stands, dealers in illegal drugs can register their
trade for tax purposes and tax officials will protect their identity from
the police and other government agencies.

Phillip Inman, of Accountancy Age, said: "The Government is in an
embarrassing position because Inland Revenue officers are dutybound to
protect the identity of drug dealers unless they suspect they are involved
in murder. Some MPs argue this legal loophole hinders the fight against
serious crime and are pressing to have the law changed."

The taxmen are covered by crown immunity that protects its employees from
laws requiring them to report those they suspect of crime. Some tax experts
have said wily dealers might want to register their businesses to promote
the cause of legalising soft drug pedalling. One said: "The authorities
would look silly in court if the accused dealer can show several years of
tax records."

A spokesman for the Inland Revenue said: "Tax law does not discriminate
between profits made from illegal or legal activities. We only report
taxpayers to the police if we suspect they are involved in murder."