LEGALISE DRUG TO REAP BENEFITS

Campaigner Says New Cannabis Laws Do Not Go Far Enough

DOWNGRADING cannabis to a Class C drug does not go far enough and
could even put people's health at greater risk, a Norwich campaigner
said today.

City man Alun Buffry, who is the national coordinator for the Legalise
Cannabis Association (sic), called for the drug to be made totally
legal to allow the quality of the plant to be regulated.

And he also believed reclassification of the drug could also lead to
vulnerable people becoming easy targets for the hard-drug dealers.

Mr Buffry said: "I'm not too keen, as classifying it as a Class C drug
really doesn't make a lot of difference to cannabis and the problems
associated with it. It makes it more likely that people will try it.
But the problem is nothing is done about being able to grow it or buy
it."

He said people who already bought the drug from a reliable source were
relatively safe, but feared newcomers to the substance could approach
hard-drug dealers, who could then tempt them into taking more
dangerous drugs - such as cocaine or heroin.

"It will make people easier prey for the hard drug dealers. Without
tackling supply, it's pointless", Mr Buffry added.

"If people could grow and buy it legally it would keep them out of the
criminal world. It would also keep control on quality.

"Once people cross the line into breaking the law they are criminals
and tend to mix together. I don't see why they should be criminals
for growing or smoking a plant."

Penny McVeigh, chief executive of Norfolk drug and alcohol support
service Norcas, felt the downgrading was more politically motivated
than anything else. She said: "My personal understanding of the
political ramifications is that it's about freeing up police time. I
think that's one thing that needs to be remembered."

Ms McVeigh's views were yesterday reinforced by remarks made by Tory
leader Michael Howard, who said a future Conservative government would
reverse Labour's downgrading of the drug.

Home Officer drugs minister Caroline Flint said: "Cannabis is harmful
and will remain illegal after January 29, when it is reclassified to
class C.

"That is the simple message. By reclassifying cannabis we are being
honest to young people about the harm cannabis can cause in comparison
to drugs such as crack and heroin."

The Government is reclassifying cannabis as part of its overall drug
strategy to focus on more harmful Class A drugs, especially heroin and
cocaine.

The use of cannabis in treating chronic medical conditions is already
being investigated at a Norfolk hospital.

Dr William Notcutt, a consultant anaesthetist at the James Paget
Hospital in Gorleston, conducted Britain's first clinical trial of
cannabis as a medicine more than three years ago.