Latest news with #CharlieFalconer
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Drinkers are more of a danger to society than stoners? What rubbish
The cheerleaders for marijuana have been rolling their joints with a little more vigour this week, buoyed by Baron Falconer of Thoroton. The chirpy one-time Blairite, Charlie to his chums, has been doing the media rounds to promote a report published by the London Drugs Commission, of which he is chair, that calls for the legalisation of the possession of cannabis. Stop and search, Lord Falconer said, 'is most disproportionately used against young black men.' Although the police might argue in their defence that official data suggests cannabis use is higher among black people than white and Asian. Legalising possession, he argued, would improve relations 'between the police and ethnic communities'. Maybe. But what annoys me about this debate is that, every time it comes around, the pro-legalisation brigade always drag alcohol into the argument. Britain's 'problem' with drinking, they say, inflicts far more misery than cannabis. It leads to more deaths, destroys more lives, sparks fights outside pubs and clubs across the country every weekend and places huge demands on the NHS. And, of course, alcohol abuse is a scourge. It damages health, relationships and society. But there is something the dopeheads fail to point out, and it is this: alcohol, in and of itself, if used in a civilised manner, is not the problem. Cannabis use, on the other hand, is immeasurably tiresome, anti-social, arrogant, harmful in many ways, not to mention difficult to consume. With fine motor skills and a lack of patience that make wrapping presents torture, I certainly can't roll joints. I also disparage tobacco, both for its addictive tendencies, its links to serious illness and the fact that it hurts the throat. And, between ourselves, my recollection of inhaling was that I experienced paroxysms of giggling then got the serious munchies. And this is the point: dope, by its very nature, gets you dopey. Spliffs dull the mind, sap ambition. And that 'chilled-out vibe' leads to collective inaction. Alcohol, when consumed responsibly, is a great life enhancer. A merry pub is a place of fabulous communion and societal cohesion, breaking down barriers of class, sex, politics and culture. I don't think you can quite get that in a cannabis café. My alcoholic adventures see me embrace a graceful rise in spirit as the booze flows into my blood stream, lending me a feeling of bonhomie, gently loosening my mind and very often improving the quality of conversation. And while my ale is a perfect match for some pork scratchings and my wine is a marriage made in heaven for my prawns and pasta, the dope smokers are just clustering around the vending machine manically eyeing up the Pringles and wishing someone had some change. Weed's odour is also anti-social. Smoke a joint in public and your neighbours must consume it too. The smell of cannabis wafts down streets, smoked and exhaled by many as an arrogant defiance. It's an invasive and vulgar posturing you don't get with alcohol. My sipping of a crisp Chardonnay respects your space. I can offer you a glass, but my consumption of it doesn't stamp my habit all over and around your person. Wine also provides a never-ending journey of learning and enriching experience. The roads of beer and spirits are similarly complex and enriching. Booze matches food, the grandest moments in life, captures the spirit of travel and brings people together. Cannabis just sends you to sleep. And if you did have a good time you won't remember it anyway. Of course, as I have said, those who become addicted to alcohol cause devastation on the scale of any drug abuser. But the difference is: alcohol misuse is not the fault of the product; it is a symptom of many wider psychological, social and environmental factors. Fortunately, while the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said this week that 'current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified', the Government is remaining firm. 'We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act,' said a Home Office spokesperson.
Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Should cannabis be decriminalised?
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has called for possession of small amounts of cannabis to be decriminalised following a report by the London Drugs Commission. The report has made 42 recommendations, which include removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act. Former cabinet minister, now Labour peer, Charlie Falconer and Tory MP Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst join Lucy Dunn to discuss whether now is the time to decriminalise cannabis. For Lord Falconer, who chaired the Commission, the present law doesn't work and he explains the principles behind the review; Neil, however, believes that the proposals send the wrong message that cannabis is harmless. He argues that a balance needs to be found between robust enforcement and compassion for families and friends also affected by the behaviour of drug users. They both agree on the diagnosis, but how do you combat the issue? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Met chief says decriminalising cannabis ‘not something we're calling for'
The head of the UK's largest police force has opposed the Mayor of London's call to decriminalise some cannabis possession. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said drug use is a 'big issue' for communities, driving anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime, and that a change in the law on cannabis is 'not something we're calling for'. His comments follow a report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) which called for the decriminalisation of small amounts of natural cannabis. The LDC, chaired by Lord Charlie Falconer, found current laws on cannabis are 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. Decriminalisation has been backed by Sir Sadiq Khan, who set up the LDC in 2022, with the mayor saying current laws on cannabis possession 'cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system'. But Sir Mark, the head of London's police force, suggested during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he would not support the plans. While he acknowledged that changing the law is a matter for Parliament, he told the BBC: 'At the moment we see drugs being at the centre of a lot of crime, whether it's drug dealing … is so linked to violence, the county lines we close down – over 80% of the people behind those lines have got violent backgrounds. 'We see a lot of communities complaining about public drug use, and that's a big issue in terms of anti-social behaviour.' He added: 'We're chasing around people who are using drugs in public, which is a concern to communities. We see drug users becoming addicted and that driving acquisitive crime. It's a big part in our current operations.' The Government has also come out against decriminalisation, with housing, communities and local government minister Matthew Pennycook telling Times Radio on Wednesday morning: 'The mayor is obviously entitled to his view on the matter but the Government position on cannabis classification remains unchanged. 'We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and our focus is continuing to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our communities and streets safer.' Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner admitted taking 'all sorts' when asked about her personal consumption of drugs during a visit to a new housing development visit near Didcot, Oxfordshire. While the LDC report, published on Wednesday, called for a partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession, it stopped short of calling for full legalisation of the drug. Lord Falconer told the BBC: 'We don't think it would have been right to replace, for example, big tobacco, which is on the way down with big cannabis. 'If you look around the world where both possession and dealing is legalised, what you see is big commercial companies with a motive to try and make more people take cannabis, and those who take cannabis already to take more of it, and that has a detrimental effect.' Lord Falconer also challenged claims that legalisation would get rid of criminal gangs. 'Everywhere else in the world where it's been legalised, you still have a very strong black market,' he said. 'And the reason you have a strong black market is because the legal market can't meet the needs of everybody.' Instead, Lord Falconer's committee called for natural – as opposed to synthetic – cannabis to be moved from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act, effectively legalising possession of small amounts for personal use while continuing to prohibit importing, manufacturing or distributing the drug. Lord Falconer said he recognises that the public do not want people 'smoking joints in the street' but said bylaws could be used to stop anti-social behaviour issues. 'I think people would be concerned if legalising cannabis made what they would regard as anti-social behaviour much more common – so they would not want to see people smoking cannabis joints openly in the street. 'They would not like to see dealing openly in the streets, and I think that's a very important consideration that was put to us. 'You can use bylaws to make sure, for example, people can't use cannabis in parks. Dealing will still be criminal, so those aspects will remain subject to control.' Under current laws, cannabis is a class B drug and those found in possession face a fine or imprisonment. LDC deputy chairwoman Janet Hills, a former Metropolitan Police detective, said the report is 'a driver for change in our community' and called for 'a more balanced and compassionate approach to policing in our city'. Sir Sadiq said: 'The London Drugs Commission report makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis which the Government should consider. 'It says that the current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system. 'We must recognise that better education, improved healthcare and more effective, equitable policing of cannabis use are long overdue.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. 'The Government has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.' Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Possession of cannabis should not be decriminalised like this. We have seen some US and Canadian cities devastated by soft policies on addictive and harmful drugs – now Sadiq Khan wants to send London the same way. 'Cannabis is illegal for a reason. Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severed mental health problems. 'I completely oppose these plans. But with a weak Labour Government in power, there's no telling how they will react. We must stop soft Sadiq.'
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Met chief says decriminalising cannabis ‘not something we're calling for'
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said drug use is a 'big issue' for communities, driving anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime, and that a change in the law on cannabis is 'not something we're calling for'. His comments follow a report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) which called for the decriminalisation of small amounts of natural cannabis. The LDC, chaired by Lord Charlie Falconer, found current laws on cannabis are 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. Decriminalisation has been backed by Sir Sadiq Khan, who set up the LDC in 2022, with the mayor saying current laws on cannabis possession 'cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system'. But Sir Mark, the head of London's police force, suggested during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he would not support the plans. While he acknowledged that changing the law is a matter for Parliament, he told the BBC: 'At the moment we see drugs being at the centre of a lot of crime, whether it's drug dealing … is so linked to violence, the county lines we close down – over 80% of the people behind those lines have got violent backgrounds. 'We see a lot of communities complaining about public drug use, and that's a big issue in terms of anti-social behaviour.' He added: 'We're chasing around people who are using drugs in public, which is a concern to communities. We see drug users becoming addicted and that driving acquisitive crime. It's a big part in our current operations.' The Government has also come out against decriminalisation, with housing, communities and local government minister Matthew Pennycook telling Times Radio on Wednesday morning: 'The mayor is obviously entitled to his view on the matter but the Government position on cannabis classification remains unchanged. 'We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and our focus is continuing to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our communities and streets safer.' Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner admitted taking 'all sorts' when asked about her personal consumption of drugs during a visit to a new housing development visit near Didcot, Oxfordshire. While the LDC report, published on Wednesday, called for a partial decriminalisation of cannabis possession, it stopped short of calling for full legalisation of the drug. Lord Falconer told the BBC: 'We don't think it would have been right to replace, for example, big tobacco, which is on the way down with big cannabis. 'If you look around the world where both possession and dealing is legalised, what you see is big commercial companies with a motive to try and make more people take cannabis, and those who take cannabis already to take more of it, and that has a detrimental effect.' Lord Falconer also challenged claims that legalisation would get rid of criminal gangs. 'Everywhere else in the world where it's been legalised, you still have a very strong black market,' he said. 'And the reason you have a strong black market is because the legal market can't meet the needs of everybody.' Instead, Lord Falconer's committee called for natural – as opposed to synthetic – cannabis to be moved from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act, effectively legalising possession of small amounts for personal use while continuing to prohibit importing, manufacturing or distributing the drug. Lord Falconer said he recognises that the public do not want people 'smoking joints in the street' but said bylaws could be used to stop anti-social behaviour issues. 'I think people would be concerned if legalising cannabis made what they would regard as anti-social behaviour much more common – so they would not want to see people smoking cannabis joints openly in the street. 'They would not like to see dealing openly in the streets, and I think that's a very important consideration that was put to us. 'You can use bylaws to make sure, for example, people can't use cannabis in parks. Dealing will still be criminal, so those aspects will remain subject to control.' Under current laws, cannabis is a class B drug and those found in possession face a fine or imprisonment. LDC deputy chairwoman Janet Hills, a former Metropolitan Police detective, said the report is 'a driver for change in our community' and called for 'a more balanced and compassionate approach to policing in our city'. Sir Sadiq said: 'The London Drugs Commission report makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis which the Government should consider. 'It says that the current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system. 'We must recognise that better education, improved healthcare and more effective, equitable policing of cannabis use are long overdue.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. 'The Government has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.' Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Possession of cannabis should not be decriminalised like this. We have seen some US and Canadian cities devastated by soft policies on addictive and harmful drugs – now Sadiq Khan wants to send London the same way. 'Cannabis is illegal for a reason. Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severed mental health problems. 'I completely oppose these plans. But with a weak Labour Government in power, there's no telling how they will react. We must stop soft Sadiq.'
Sky News
6 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Sadiq Khan says some cannabis possession should be decriminalised
London mayor Sadiq Khan has backed calls for the possession of small quantities of natural cannabis to be decriminalised. Sir Sadiq said a new report, published by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) today, provides "a compelling, evidence-based case" for the government to consider the move. Under current laws, cannabis is a Class B drug and people found in possession face a fine or imprisonment. The LDC, set up by the mayor in 2022 and chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Charlie Falconer, has said the current laws on cannabis are "disproportionate to the harms it can pose". Its study examined how the drug is policed around the world - and also found cannabis policing "continues to focus on particular ethnic communities," damaging their relations with law enforcement. The commission stops short of calling for full decriminalisation and instead says "natural" cannabis should be moved from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act. This would effectively legalise the possession of small amounts for personal use while continuing to prohibit importing, manufacturing or distributing the drug. The LDC is also calling for improved addiction services and better education on the dangers of cannabis for young people. Sir Sadiq said: "I've long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities." The report "makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis which the government should consider," he added. "It says that the current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system. "We must recognise that better education, improved healthcare and more effective, equitable policing of cannabis use are long overdue." Lord Falconer said: "Legalisation is not the answer. The criminal justice system response needs to focus only on the dealers and not the users. "Those who suffer from the adverse effects of cannabis - which may be a small percentage of users but it is a high number of people - need reliable, consistent medical and other support. And there needs to be much more education on the risks of cannabis use." 2:10 Government and Tories respond A Home Office spokesperson said the government "has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance". "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer," they added. The Conservatives have rubbished Sir Sadiq's suggestion, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp saying: "Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severed mental health problems. "US and Canadian cities which tried this approach have ended up as crime-ridden ghettos with stupefied addicts on the streets and law-abiding citizens frightened to go there."
