Pubdate: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 Source: Scotland On Sunday (UK) Copyright: 2000 The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Contact: scotlandonsunday.com Fax: (+44) 0131 226 7420 Address: 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland Website: http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/ Author: Peter Laing MORE SCOTS SAY CANNABIS SHOULD BE MADE LEGAL SUPPORT for the legalisation of cannabis in Scotland has climbed to 43% while less than half the adult population back continued criminalisation of the drug, the ICM/Scotland on Sunday 2000 poll has revealed. Just 48% of those surveyed favoured retaining the existing law, a dramatic 10 point drop on the findings of a similar poll four years ago, and the first time support has fallen below the 50% mark. The findings of the poll prove the gap is widening between public perception of the risks associated with cannabis use and the 30-year-old legislation which outlaws it. ICM interviewed more than 1,200 adults and asked: "Do you think taking cannabis should continue to be against the law or should it be made legal?" Support for change was strongest in the 18 to 24 age group, 60% of whom wanted the current law scrapped. However, abolition was still favoured by 49% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 47% of 45 to 54-year-olds. Margo MacDonald, the MSP who attracted almost 40 signatures for her parliamentary motion calling for a cannabis commission said: "We are coming close to a majority opinion which, while not approving of cannabis use, sees it in the same light as alcohol and tobacco." The debate on cannabis has centred on the possibility of decriminalizing its possession, as opposed to outright legalisation. decriminalisation would effectively downgrade possession from a crime carrying a potential prison sentence to an offence similar to a traffic infringement. Linda Hendry, of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign in Scotland, said the poll suggested little patience among the public for the middle ground of decriminalisation. "It is good news that support of legalisation has increased so much since the last poll. This is particularly encouraging for the campaign to have cannabis for medical conditions such as MS." Tory law and order spokesman Phil Gallie said: "The results are interesting but politicians are there to do what they think is right for future generations and they have got to look at the evidence. If cannabis can be used medically I support that, but not for leisure use." Alistair Ramsey, of Scotland Against Drugs, said the pro-abolition vote would be lower if the public had more information about cannabis. "A study in Glasgow revealed cannabis users run an increased risk of suffering lung cancer. too much of the discussion on drugs is based on anecdotes. We need proper research." Roseanna Cunningham, chairwoman of the Scottish parliament's Justice and Home affairs Committee, said she had no problem with a commission to examine the law and cannabis. "I have doubts about what it would achieve. Law in this area is a matter for Westminster and Tony Blair has ruled out change," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake