Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2002
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162
Author:  Beth Gardiner, The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

BRITAIN PROPOSES MORE LAID-BACK MARIJUANA LAWS

LONDON - Prime Minister Tony Blair's government moved Wednesday to relax 
its marijuana laws, guaranteeing that most users will get off with a 
warning while police focus enforcement efforts on harder drugs.

Under the proposal, marijuana would be downgraded from a Class B to a Class 
C drug, making its use and possession less serious crimes, Home Secretary 
David Blunkett told the House of Commons. Police could still arrest those 
caught with marijuana, who could receive up to two years in prison. But in 
most cases, police would confiscate the drug and issue a warning.

"The message to young people and families must be open, honest and 
believable," Blunkett said. "Cannabis is a potentially harmful drug and 
should remain illegal. However, it is not comparable with crack, heroin and 
Ecstasy."

The proposed downgrade would put marijuana on a legal par with anabolic 
steroids instead of amphetamines and barbiturates. Blair's Labor Party has 
a large majority in Parliament, and the proposal is virtually certain to pass.

Blunkett said he hopes to have the reclassification in place by July 2003.

Blair said the proposal does not amount to decriminalization and has wide 
support among police, who want more time to fight more serious drugs.

The opposition Conservative Party criticized the proposal as potentially 
dangerous, and government adviser Keith Hellawell announced his resignation.

Hellawell's motive for resigning was unclear. The Home Office said that he 
submitted his resignation last month, effective in August, and that he had 
expressed support for the reclassification of marijuana.

In the United States, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana 
Laws praised the British policy shift, saying it will be similar to changes 
made in 12 states.

"Great Britain's reclassification of cannabis is an honest and common sense 
approach to refocus drug policy on those substances that cause the most 
harm," said the group's founder and executive director, Keith Stroup.

ONLINE: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, www.norml.org
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