Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2008
Source: Oxford Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact:  http://www.oxfordmail.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4170
Author: Matt Wilkinson
Cited: Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DRUGS DEBATE

A police raid on a house near Bicester where just 13 cannabis plants 
were seized has prompted a flood of comments from people who read the 
story on the Oxford Mail's website.

Scores of readers posted comments following the arrest of a 
35-year-old man in Fringford, near Bicester, for possessing and 
cultiv- ating cannabis with an estimated value of UKP1,000. He was 
released witout charge.

One correspondent - Jane, from Oxford - said: "What crime is this man 
committing to another person growing his own cannabis and smoking it 
in his home?"

Another said: "No wonder people don't respect the police any more, 
they don't arrest robbers and muggers, just law abiding citizens who 
smoke cannabis in their own home."

Michael, from Abingdon, added: "If the police continue to make 
cannabis harder to get hold of then there will be more call for 
harder drugs on the streets and that will result in more drug-related 
deaths and more crime to fund expensive drug habits."

Other readers supported measures to clamp down on cannabis users and dealers.

Alan Page said: "Cannabis destroys the brain and renders long-term 
users little better than vegetables. My brother is a far brighter, 
funnier person since he cut down his habit."

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance also questioned whether police should 
concentrate so much time, effort and money on tackling cannabis.

But spokesman Don Barnard added users of the drug should respect the 
job police were doing. He said: "Laws are there to protect society 
from people who do dangerous things and harm others."

Thames Valley Police released the 35-year-old man whose house was 
raided with a caution after officers "uncovered a well-organised 
cannabis cultivation set-up".

Spokesman Toby Shergold said: "Our officers were responding to 
concerns raised by local people and if criminality is going on we 
have a duty to respond.

"Cannabis remains illegal and factories are being uncovered across 
the country run by organised gangs with proceeds going to fund 
operations such as human trafficking.

"We tirelessly pursue dealers of all illegal drugs and in the last 
month two have been jailed for dealing ecstasy, crack cocaine and 
heroin. We are also targeting drug addicts who are committing crime 
to fuel their habit." 
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