By Helen Carter Source: Guardian Unlimited A drug policy adviser from the Netherlands said yesterday that cafes which sell cannabis should be opened in Britain. Bob Keizer, who works for the ministry of health in the Netherlands, told the inaugural cannabis conference in Liverpool there was no reason why cannabis cafes should not work in the UK. The conference brought together public health officials, drugs workers, police and cannabis campaigners. It was organised after home secretary David Blunkett's announcement that cannabis was to be reclassified from a class B to a class C drug which opened debate about decriminalisation. "In the Netherlands... decriminalisation has not led to an increase in cannabis use," said Mr Keizer. "The fact that young people don't get a criminal record for using the drug a few times is a very positive element of our policy. Police are able to invest their capacity in more serious crimes. "Cannabis cafes help to take dealers off the street. If we allow them in this country there will be less street dealing. If the cafes close, the dealers return." The conference was organised by Mark Bellis, of the Northwest Public Health Observatory. He said: "There are negative aspects because of its association with tobacco use, but if it were decriminalised it would allow police to concentrate on heroin." Not all the delegates were in favour of decriminalisation. John Witton, of the National Addiction Centre in London, said cannabis has been linked to increased risk of cancers. Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.html Source: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK) Author: Helen Carter Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: letters@guardian.co.uk Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/
"There are negative aspects because of its association with tobacco use, but if it were decriminalised it would allow police to concentrate on heroin." I keep telling people ,but what I usually get back is, "Yea legalize pot and then there will be a coke ,heroin , 'AND' a marijuana problem." People who do not use recreational drugs, just will never get it , it seems. You show them the facts ,the statistics,they just cannot or will not comprehend,..............hell you might just as well be trying to sell them on the idea of...............I really don't know what , maybe infant euthanasia - to save them from suffering a crule life.............I really don't know . I keep asking why alcohol is legal when it has been so closely associated with......................well ,violence/death actually. I need a joint (Actually I don't need one ,but I sure would like one.)