GRASS COULD BE GREENER IN UK
July 19th 2007 05:13
UK's Gordon Brown today announced a consultation on re-classifying cannabis as a Class B, rather than a Class C drug.
(from Elliot Joseph blog)
Could this mean a change in the government's policy of not enforcing the law? From the Home Office website:
It is unlikely that adults caught in possession of cannabis will be arrested. Most offences of possession result in a warning and confiscation of the drug. But some instances may lead to arrest and possible caution or prosecution, including repeat offending, smoking in a public place, instances where public order is threatened and possession of cannabis in the vicinity of premises used by children.
In other words it is treated about the same as tobacco, which for the time being remains technically legal to smoke. Given that the prisons are full and the police busy with other things, would the government really opt for a change in the status quo?
It seems very unlikely. As recently as last year, Charles Clarke announced a consultation on drugs policy resulting in a wholesale review of the British classification system. This review, which also addressed the possibility of re-classifying cannabis, resulted in no change either to its Class C status or to the classification system whatsoever. It did, however, allow the government to present the appearance of doing something - the most obvious purpose which Mr Brown's new consultation would also serve.
Drugs policy is a minefield. No doubt cannabis use could be near enough stamped out in Britain if it were seriously tried. Could we stomach the invasions of privacy and huge expansion in the prison population this would entail? Perhaps it should be properly, honestly liberalised instead. Could we live with the vastly increased use of the drug this would bring about, especially in the context of a socialised health care system funded by users and non-users alike?
I sympathise with the liberal argument; I also abhor our failure to enforce the law of the land. I therefore understand why a weak government such as ours dithers behind a series of bootless consultation exercises. Or perhaps it's not lack of leadership: just ennui caused by smoking too much cannabis.
Posted by Elliott at 18.7.07
(from Elliot Joseph blog)
Could this mean a change in the government's policy of not enforcing the law? From the Home Office website:
It is unlikely that adults caught in possession of cannabis will be arrested. Most offences of possession result in a warning and confiscation of the drug. But some instances may lead to arrest and possible caution or prosecution, including repeat offending, smoking in a public place, instances where public order is threatened and possession of cannabis in the vicinity of premises used by children.
It seems very unlikely. As recently as last year, Charles Clarke announced a consultation on drugs policy resulting in a wholesale review of the British classification system. This review, which also addressed the possibility of re-classifying cannabis, resulted in no change either to its Class C status or to the classification system whatsoever. It did, however, allow the government to present the appearance of doing something - the most obvious purpose which Mr Brown's new consultation would also serve.
Drugs policy is a minefield. No doubt cannabis use could be near enough stamped out in Britain if it were seriously tried. Could we stomach the invasions of privacy and huge expansion in the prison population this would entail? Perhaps it should be properly, honestly liberalised instead. Could we live with the vastly increased use of the drug this would bring about, especially in the context of a socialised health care system funded by users and non-users alike?
I sympathise with the liberal argument; I also abhor our failure to enforce the law of the land. I therefore understand why a weak government such as ours dithers behind a series of bootless consultation exercises. Or perhaps it's not lack of leadership: just ennui caused by smoking too much cannabis.
Posted by Elliott at 18.7.07
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