Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 Source: Sunday Times (UK) Copyright: 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd. Contact: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/439 Author: Jonathan Hoffman Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1220/a07.html POPULIST Before I opened The Sunday Times last week, I had made a note to send to my MP Melanie Phillips's previous article about drugs, with a request that he commits to opposing any attempt to legalise cannabis or any leadership candidate who equivocates on the matter. I should have known Phillips would return so conclusively to the debate (Comment, last week). Many who favour decriminalisation have no children. I have two teenagers. What chance do I have of keeping them away from cannabis if it is legalised? During the election campaign there was a memorable description of William Hague - "a chameleon on glass". Now Portillo and Lilley are playing the same populist game, attempting to attract the vote of the under-25s, who were the most apathetic at the election. It is our kids who will pay the price of these utterly cynical political ploys. Jonathan Hoffman, London N20 - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake