Pubdate: Fri, 23 Mar 2001
Source: Oldham Evening Chronicle (UK)
Copyright: Oldham Evening Chronicle 2001
Contact:  P. O. Box 47, Oldham, Lancashire, England  OL1 1EQ
Fax: 0161-652 2111
Website: http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/
Author: Alun Ireland

LEGALISE CANNABIS SAYS MEP

Cannabis should be legalised for victims of cancer and multiple sclerosis.

This is the belief of Oldham Euro MP Chris Davies who has accused Jack 
Straw on cruelty towards sufferers.

The Liberal Democrat claims that the Home Secretary can not go on refusing 
to acknowledge the benefits that seriously ill people can gain from using 
the drug for pain relief.

He spoke out after a Manchester father of three was prosecuted for 
possession of cannabis.

The defendant is incurably ill with multiple sclerosis and claims to take 
the drug for relief of the symptoms.

Mr Davies, who lives in Greenfield, said, "Time after time juries refuse to 
convict people in the same position as this man, yet still the Home 
Secretary refuses to see sense.

"Jack Straw's refusal to act on the medical evidence already available to 
him is nothing less than an act of cruelty".

Mr Davies said he now hopes a new Home Secretary, who is more sympathetic 
to cancer and MS patients, will be appointed after the next election.

He also claimed most governments across Europe agree with him, pointing out 
that cannabis possession for personal use is no longer a criminal offence 
in Holland.  Belgium and Switzerland have indicated they too intend to 
adopt the same policy.

Mr Davies added:"There is no evidence that cannabis use has ever killed anyone.

"It is a much less dangerous drug than alcohol, and governments across 
Europe are now changing their policies to reflect this reality."
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