Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Source: Independent (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author:  Nigel Morris, Political Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FORMER MINISTER LAUNCHES ATTEMPT TO LEGALISE SALE, SUPPLY AND USE OF CANNABIS

A former Labour Minister launched a House of Commons move to legalise 
cannabis on Wednesday. Although Jon Owen Jones's backbench Bill 
received an unopposed first reading, it would need to win Government 
support to become law.

His Legalisation of Cannabis Bill, modelled on laws in the 
Netherlands, seeks to "legalise and regulate the sale, supply and use 
of cannabis for recreational and therapeutic purposes". He admits 
that cannabis can damage health, but that it should not be 
Government's role to outlaw harmful substances. He argues that 
prohibition of the substance has patently not worked.

Mr Jones, a former Welsh Office Minister, recently admitted smoking 
cannabis in the past and enjoying the experience.

He said: "I smoked it on several social occasions when I was a 
student and a young man, as did many of my friends and colleagues. I 
would not have taken it more than once if I did not like it."

Mr Jones, a science teacher before being elected for Cardiff Central 
in 1992, said he had not used drugs for more than 20 years, but now 
it was time to review drugs legislation.

He drew up his Bill after winning ninth place in the ballot of 
backbench MPs to introduce their own legislation. Most Cabinet 
Ministers fiercely oppose relaxing the laws on soft drugs, but David 
Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has said Britain needs an "adult, 
intelligent debate" on the subject.

The issue emerged as a central theme of the Conservative leadership 
contest when Peter Lilley, a former deputy party leader, argued that 
laws on cannabis use were "unenforceable and indefensible" and called 
for it to be sold through regulated off-licences.

First on the list of Bills, and with a strong chance of success, is a 
measure piloted by John Randall, the Tory MP for Uxbridge, to give 
more environmental protection to marine species. He wants to see 
marine conservation areas given the same legal protection as areas 
designated sites of special scientific interest.

Third is the Age Equality Commission Bill through which Candy 
Atherton, Labour MP for Falmouth and Camborne, seeks to set up a 
commission to advise ministers on discrimination issues in relation 
to older people. The former Health Secretary, Frank Dobson is 
introducing a Bill requiring companies selling tobacco products in 
the UK to disclose the scientific and market research they have 
carried out.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe