A campaigner for the legalisation of cannabis will stand against the Home Secretary at the General Election. Don Barnard, who lives in Witham, has announced he will stand for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) against Charles Clarke in his Norwich South constituency. Mr Barnard said: "Charles Clarke refused to discuss the issue of legalising cannabis and I was asked to put myself up against him. "It's an opportunity to get the issue out." The LCA, of which Mr Barnard is the national press officer, was registered as a political party in 1999. [end]
A CAMPAIGNER for the legalisation of cannabis has criticised the way the Government has advertised changes to the drug law. Don Barnard, a member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in Braintree, says the planned reclassification of cannabis has led to mass confusion. He said: "There is still much confusion on how reclassification will work, the benefits to be gained, and the relative harms associated with cannabis use. The changes in the law are due to come into effect on Thursday, from then cannabis will still be illegal but it will be downgraded from a category B to a category C drug. [continues 152 words]
AFTER reclassification of cannabis on the 29 January, the Police guidelines of presumption of non-arrest will result in a large reduction of arrest of otherwise law abiding citizens. BUT, I cannot understand why the UK government wants to retain a law that allows for arresting and tossing cannabis user in jail be it social or medicinal use. The Netherlands has long tolerated personal possession and allowed cannabis coffee shops. cannabis is now available as a prescription drug at pharmacies. Spain no longer arrests recreational drug users; Portugal has decriminalised cannabis use. So has Luxembourg. [continues 188 words]
A CAMPAINER for the legalisation of cannabis is taking his fight to the Home Secretary. Don Barnard, campaigner for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in Braintree, has helped produce a document which challenges the Government over its drug policy. And he is hoping the document, which has also been produced in Braille format, will be presented to Home secretary David Blunkett The campaigner has contacted Braintree and Earls Colne MP Alan Hurst with the document. Athough Mr Hurst says he does not support the campaign to legalise cannabis, he has written to the Home Secretary to try and arrange a meeting so he can receive the document. [end]
I agree with Jane Collier ("Driving concerns" Post bag Dec 10). The majority are surprisingly ignorant of the consequences of using cannabis. Unlike alcohol - because there is no accepted level of blood concentration to prove impairment - The question of impairment through taking cannabis is far from clear-cut. If there is no accepted level of blood concentration for most drugs - including cannabis - how do we define impairment! How could you prove impairment? Further, there are many over-the-counter and prescription non-steroids anti inflammatory drugs or hemp seed oil products which allegedly show up for illegal cannabis use. [continues 147 words]
I have read some of the articles on your "Don't Drink+Drive" campaign over the last month and have been dismayed at seeing no mention of drugs. I believe that the consumption of any drugs like cannabis etc, in whatever form, has an effect on one's perception of angles, distance and speed, which will radically affect driving capabilities. The use of these drugs is quite widespread these days, I understand, and I just wonder whether publicity about their effects should be added to that of drink. Jane Collier Fitzwalter Road, Colchester [end]
DON Barnard (Postbag, Wednesday) maps the questionable paths over the cannabis debate. I have been visiting Amsterdam for several years, and have never witnessed one incident of trouble, let alone violence. The cannabis laws are unquestionably idiotic, and if Switzerland or Portugal are mature enough to legalise the drug, then so should Britain. If drugs are banned then this by any aspect has to include alcohol and tobacco. Legal action is not about fines and reclassification, it's about the law making criminals of people who have never harmed anyone, yet get a criminal conviction for a joint. Hardly anoints the justice system today, does it? Collin Rossini Chaffinch Drive, Dovercourt. [end]
WITHOUT knowing all the facts it is difficult to comment on court reports published in the media. Take for example; "Cannabis: man fined" (Gazette October 31). The reported said the defendant pleaded guilty to "possession" of 135mgs of cannabis with an alleged UKP 5 street value. (Five pounds for 135mg? That makes it UKP 37/gram, UKP 1000/oz - unlikely! It's worth more like UKP 0.69, giving UKP 5/gram.) Notwithstanding that, let me say up front, I do not condone this crime. The defendant is clearly a danger to society. And, his antisocial behaviour will most certainly had an derogatory effect on his neighbours quality of life! [continues 100 words]
I AM agitated by Colchester councillor Tim Young's comments (Gazette, August 8) regarding David Beard's stall in Lion Walk, Colchester. Is this campaign against Mr Beard supported by Colchester Constituency Labour Party? Mr Young says he wants Colchester Council officers to review Mr Beard's licence. The effect would be to deny Mr Beard his right to earn an honest living regardless of the loss of taxes, rent and rates he pays. We would be pleased to join with Mr Young in an open debate on his concerns and the complex issues involved when talking about cannabis; he can name the time and place. Don Barnard, Legalise Cannabis Alliance [end]
A COUPLE of years ago the tabloids picked up on a story in the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre's magazine. The story focused on Kate Bradley, who had been diagnosed with the disease in 1991. Five years later she began taking cannabis. It was the only thing which helped ease her increasing pain. What made journal-ists, politicians and the public generally sit up was not that Kate took cannabis. They were more interested in what Kate had been - a sergeant in the West Midlands Police vice squad who arrested cannabis pushers. [continues 873 words]
BERNARD Jenkin has lost the next general election to the Liberal Democrats, with the Legalise Cannabis Alliance taking second place. The MP for north Essex was beaten into fifth place despite controlling his spin and avoiding stalling in his race to the winning post. The alternative election was organised by BBC's Top Gear programme on Sunday night when representatives from six political parties took to the race track with the fastest lap winning the election. Tory Mr Jenkin posted a track time of one minute, 41.8 seconds to finish fifth. The only candidate slower was the Monster Raving Loony Party, which fluffed its lap time. [continues 74 words]
A MAN caught with more than UKP 4,000 worth of cannabis has escaped a jail sentence. Trevor Scott had bought the drugs for himself and some friends, who all take it to alleviate their medical problems, a court heard. They had all contributed cash and Scott had been sent to Holland to buy the cannabis on their behalf Chelmsford Crown Court was told Scot, of Worthing, West Sussex, had been stopped at Harwich on the way to Holland and was found to have UKP 4,000 cash on him. [continues 162 words]
Holy smoke? Billy McCann, with his new book The Homegrowers Manual, claims that Jesus used cannabis to perform many of his miracles. CLAIMS by a Braintree author that Jesus used cannabis to perform many of his miracles have been labelled as highly unlikely by a Bocking vicar. In a controversial new book Billy McCann claims archaeological evidence proves cannabis oils were widely used for anointing during the times of Jesus. The 53-year-old author of The Homegrowers Manual said this revelation converted him to Christianity. [continues 358 words]
A CAMPAIGNER for the legalisation of cannabis is calling on Braintree Council to organise a seminar to discuss the reclassification of the drug. Don Barnard of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance wants the council to hold a meeting to discuss the downgrading of the drug from class B to class C. Mr Barnard of the LCA, who lives in Aetheric Road, said: "This is a subject which needs to be discussed now. There will be a lot of changes when the reclassification takes place and people need to be made aware of this. [continues 160 words]
I Would like to warn cannabis users of the possible consequences of the new police guidelines (New Guidelines over Cannabis, Gazette last Wednesday). Contrary to popular belief, possession of any amount of cannabis in private or public is still illegal; you can still be arrested and face a jail sentence of up to 5 years. Once the new guidelines are in force it is likely that the police will not seek out people with a joint in their pocket. However, if the drug is found in a stop and search, or as a result of an operation involving a sniffer dog, the "three strikes" principle comes into play. If police find up to 3g on a first offence, you will not be arrested but will get a recorded ticking off. The second time you are likely to be cautioned and on the third occasion (within a year) you will probably get a court summons. [continues 85 words]
Although I stood in last year's election, I can not say that I am an "experienced politician", unlike Councillor tom Hewitt, so you can imagine my shock when I read his comments in the press last week. As an elected member I assumed that Mr Hewitt would make sure of his facts before letting his bigotry run away with him, but of course I was mistaken. Apparently I am "irresponsible". However, I don't make statements to the press on subjects I am ignorant of, without any research into the subject. [continues 154 words]
Sir, - Recent comments on the cannabis cafe saga highlights the need for a truly open dialogue regarding cannabis in which fear, prejudice, punitive prohibition yield to science, common sense and practicality. I agree we need to protect the community from the consequences of inappropriate cannabis use. But - as is becoming increasingly clear - prohibition is neither an effective nor a desirable way of doing this. Furthermore, the war on some drugs has impeded public health efforts to stem underage drinking, vandalism, anti social behaviour the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other infectious diseases. [continues 197 words]
Sir- As a trader in Witham Spa Road precinct, I cannot understand how on earth it can even be contemplated that a cannabis cafe can open here. As there are only six shops in the precinct, a cannabis coffee shop would certainly put Witham on the map but to whose detriment? There is a junior school 50 metres to one side and retirement bungalows to the other. It would draw all the pot-smokers from far and wide. Where does this Chris Philbin live anyway? Let him fight for one on his own doorstep! [continues 64 words]
PLANS to Open one of Britain's first cannabis cafes in Witham have been dismissed by a leading councillor. Chris Philbin, a member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, hopes to open and manage a cannabis cafe in an empty unit at the shops in Witham. The Dutch style coffee shop could he one of several around the UK if the Government implements plans to downgrade cannabis from a Class B to Class C drug. The Legalise Cannabis Alliance expects the law change would lead to police tolerating individuals using cannabis in private. [continues 137 words]
Plans to open Essex's first cannabis cafe have been narrowed down to near Witham's Humber Road estate. Reporter Michael Powell asked residents what they thought of the idea. CONTROVERSIAL, it may be. But not everyone is against the idea of a Dutch-style pot smoking den being opened in Witham. Last week, we told how a mystery investor was keen to open a cannabis cafe in the town. And now Chris Philbin, a member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, who wants to manage the cafe, has confirmed the proposed site is an empty unit at the Spa Road shops, near the Humber Road estate. [continues 408 words]
