STANDFIRST: Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday effectively decriminalised cannabis, marking the biggest shift in Government policy for 30 years. For parents, his move will only add to their anxiety. All they can hope is to be able to equip their children with sufficient armoury - common sense and moral integrity - to emerge from adolescence unscathed. Katy Edwards spoke to one mother who blames cannabis for robbing her of her youngest son. THE cannabis debate will inevitably roll on. To legalise or not to legalise, that is the question. Meanwhile, youngsters are getting on with the business of smoking it, rolling joints, making bongs, hot-knifing - whatever gets it into their bloodstream the quickest. [continues 1785 words]
CANNABIS cafes would see an end to confusion over the dope debate once and for all, claims Don Barnard, an executive member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance. Don, of Braintree in Essex, who was given 50 hours community service for growing cannabis plants in his garden in 1994, wants to see the drug brought within the law. He claimed the plant helped relieve his wife's arthritis and his own persistent back pain. He would like to see greater recognition of its potential health benefits. [continues 609 words]
