Jul 10
85235500
It has been a rather odd day for me today; I find myself awakening to the thought that I actually agree with a new policy from Blunkett’s mouth. They have decided to re-categorise cannabis (da ganga) all over Britain. While this is a silly half-way house on the way to legalisation, it is a step in the right direction. It is unfortunate to see the Tories (and others) bleating on about his it threatens “young people”. This is especially unfortunate after both he and his Shadow Minister for Youth, spent a decent amount of time explaining to a group of graduates (and me) how the Tory Party wishes to reach out to the young. Sounding like a pushy nanny that assumes no intelligence or self-control in British citizens does not impress anyone. To his credit, I don’t remember his wheeling out the “cannabis as gateway drug” line, which everyone knows is total bullshit.
No one under the age of 40 believes it when it is claimed that if you smoke a joint you will be doing crack or heroin within a month. It seems Westminster Council is throwing a wobbly about this new policy as well. Why don’t they legalise cannabis, give it to tobacco companies, and take it away from the dealers?
BBC News will be covering the announcement later this afternoon.
NB: I am not a regular or even casual user of cannabis, so this is not in my self-interest, but a matter of principle.
Update: The Telegraph agrees with my take on the move. This is a lame half-way house that will please no one. Boris adds his scribblings to the debate, and it’s funny too.
