Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2000
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2000 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  (Sunday Telegraph:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Author: Marie Woolf, Political Correspondent

MPS FACE DOUBLE TEST ON LEGAL STATUS OF CANNABIS

A BILL testing Parliament's will to decriminalise the use of cannabis is to
be introduced in the House of Commons next month.

Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, is to introduce a 10-minute rule
Bill calling for those with cannabis for personal use not to be prosecuted.
He will also introduce a second 10-minute rule Bill calling for the
decriminalisation of marijuana for pain relief and to ease symptoms of
illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis. The move comes after
The Telegraph yesterday suggested legalising cannabis for an experimental
period.

Mr Flynn's Bills are expected to attract support from MPs of all parties,
although they stand no chance of becoming law. They will force the
Government to defend its opposition to reviewing the law on marijuana
possession. Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has written
to the Prime Minister and William Hague asking for discussions between all
three parties on the status of cannabis and other illegal drugs. Mr Hague
has refused to take part in the talks and the Prime Minister has not
replied to his invitation.

The Liberal Democrat leader wants a standing Royal Commission to examine
whether cannabis should be legalised or decriminalised. Mr Kennedy believed
there should be "a mature debate" about the legal status of drugs and their
possible therapeutic uses, his official spokesman said last night.

The Home Office said last night that there were no plans to change its
opposition to legalising cannabis. Some senior ministers privately back
making cannabis available to treat serious illnesses by prescription. The
Government is carrying out trials to test the scientific basis for
prescribing cannabis-based medicines.
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