Pubdate:  2 November, 1997
Source: Independent on Sunday
Contact: email:  Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL
England
Editor's note: The IoS Decriminalise Cannabis campaign has web pages at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sindypot/index.htm

New poll reveals MPs in favour of change in law on drugs
By Graham Ball

IF THE Government were to allow a free vote in Parliament, cannabis would
be decriminalised at a stroke, says a new poll.

Of the MPs who took part, 70 per cent said there was a case for allowing
doctors the right to prescribe cannabis for medicinal purposes. Only 15 per
cent voted against, with just over eight per cent undecided.

The poll was conducted by the London bureau of Japanese newspaper the
Hokkaido Shimbun, which has reported on the Independent on Sunday campaign
to decriminalise cannabis.

Each MP was sent a short questionnaire and told they could reply
anonymously, which may have accounted for the high proportion of answers
from Conservative MPs, the political group traditionally shyest about
expressing support for reform of our outdated drug laws. 

Just over a third of MPs from all parties voted in favour of
decriminalising cannabis for personal and recreational use, with Labour MPs
the group most in favour of this proposition. More than 41 per cent of
Labour MPs taking part said 'No' to the question, "Do you think that the
possession and use of cannabis in the UK should be illegal"? 

The poll was conducted over the summer recess and 130 MPs from all parties
took part. 

Last week, a crossparty group of 17 MPs signed an Early Day Motion urging
the Government to respond swiftly to growing evidence that cannabis can
help treat disease and reduce pain. 

Last Monday, another leading MP campaigning for a change in laws, Dr Brian
Iddon, met with George Howarth, the Home Office minister in charge of drugs
policy. "I feel we made some progress in one or two important areas and
that he listened very closely when I raised the question of random testing
for cannabis in prisons," Mr Iddon said. 

"But on the question of decriminalisation, he said that Government policy
would remain unchanged. We also discussed the medical uses of cannabis, and
it is well known that Health Secretary Frank Dobson has said he would
listen to arguments." 

Meanwhile, the IoS Decriminalise Cannabis campaign continues to attract new
supporters. This week, the writers John Mortimer and Frederic Raphael sign
our petition, as does stage actress Zoe Wanamaker, BBC TV's Dervla Kirwan
and singers Marianne Faithfull and Boy George.