Britain's Liberal Democrats Vote for Marijuana

By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press

Manchester, England - Britain's third-largest political party, the Liberal Democrats, on Saturday voted to adopt legalization of marijuana as official party policy.
Delegates at the left-leaning party's spring conference also voted to abolish prison sentences for possession of any drug, including heroin and cocaine, and said doctors should be able to prescribe heroin to addicts. The policies will be included in the party's campaign promises for the next election.

"This isn't a rush of blood to the head, we have taken two years to look at the evidence," said the party's domestic issues spokesman, Simon Hughes.

"My experience is that people who have had the tragedy of drugs come into their lives know that the current law doesn't work and they want another alternative."

Marijuana is currently illegal in Britain and possession is punishable by up to five years in prison. The Labor Party government announced last October that it plans to reclassify marijuana as a "Class C" drug - putting it in the same category as anabolic steroids.

It would still be illegal to possess or smoke the drug, but violators would receive a warning or a court summons rather than face arrest.

The proposals must be approved by Parliament. A final decision is expected in the spring.

Senior officials from the three main political parties - Labor, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - have called for review of Britain's cannabis laws, but the Liberal Democrats are the first to back legalization.

The party, which has 53 seats in the 659-seat House of Commons, has gained a reputation for innovative policies on issues such as human rights, defense and the environment.

Party leader Charles Kennedy said Saturday that the party wanted to encourage "a mature, earnest and open debate" about drugs.

"I think human experience teaches that the more you make something unacceptable or unobtainable the more likely some people, some young people in particular, are susceptible to becoming involved," he told Sky News television.

"What we don't want to do is put young people in particular in that position."

Hughes said legalization of marijuana would take time and would require international negotiations.

"We would have been unrealistic if we had said we wanted to legalize now," he said.

Party delegates also voted to oppose British involvement in the United States' missile defense system, and were scheduled to vote Sunday on a motion opposing involvement in potential U.S.-led military action against Iraq.

Complete Title: Britain's Third-Party Liberal Democrats Vote for Legalization of Marijuana

Source: Associated Press
Published: Saturday, March 9, 2002
Copyright: 2002 Associated Press