Pubdate: Mon, 01 Jul 2002
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Andy McSmith

TORY WARNING OVER CANNABIS REFORM

Drug gangs have flourished in Brixton since the police began an experiment 
under which cannabis was effectively decriminalised, Oliver Letwin, the 
shadow home secretary, said yesterday.

The remarks by Mr Letwin, who is seen as one of the leading social liberals 
in the shadow cabinet, suggests that David Blunkett will meet strong 
Conservative opposition if he carries on with his proposal to soften the 
law on cannabis.

Mr Blunkett is expected to announce this month that he intends to 
reclassify cannabis so that possession of the drug for personal use ceases 
to be a criminal offence.

In a pilot project in Lambeth, south London - which includes Brixton - 
people caught with cannabis for personal use are let off with a caution and 
confiscation of the drug, so that police can concentrate on more dangerous 
drugs.

Scotland Yard's Deputy Commissioner, Ian Blair, hailed the scheme a success 
just days ago, but Mr Letwin claimed that the experiment had created "an 
appalling example" of power accruing to drug gangs.

He added: "There seems to be every evidence of these gangs and dealers 
dragging people on from cannabis to other drugs."
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