Latest news with #MisuseofDrugsAct
Spectator
a day 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A drug. Police forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be upgraded. Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his county. The Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr Wilkinson. Recent operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being seized. These took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence. "County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve." He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities". Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson 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. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Experts criticise calls to re-classify cannabis Police crackdown on drug use in night-time economy Mayor backs report's call for cannabis law reform Wiltshire Police
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tony Eusoff: 'I'm barred from entering Singapore'
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Tony Eusoff has said that he remains barred from entering Singapore following his past drug conviction. In a news report today, the 48-year-old actor, whose real name is Anthony Joseph Hermas Rajiman, revealed that he has attempted to apply for permission to enter the island republic several times since his release in 2016, but without success. "So far, I have applied (for the permit via online application) three or four times. But there has been no response yet," he said. Tony, who was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment in Singapore in April 2016 for possession of Class A controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, accepts the consequences of his actions. "I don't blame anyone. What has happened is the repercussion of my own shortcomings. I admit that I'm the one who didn't respect the laws of the country. Now I have to bear the consequences." Despite his past, Tony expressed gratitude for an early release. "But I'm grateful that I was released three months early. I believe everything happens for a reason. It was the lesson of my life," he added. Despite being barred from entering the country, Tony is thankful that his drama series was permitted to air there. "I was offered to act in a drama series titled 'Chiron', which was aired on Mediacorp's Suria channel. "What impressed me was that the production was willing to come to Malaysia to film my scenes, as I could not go there due to the ban. "And I even won an award for my acting in the drama series. Life is strange sometimes," he said.
Powys County Times
4 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.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Put cannabis on par with crack, says policing chief in rebuke for Khan
Cannabis should be upgraded to a class A drug because of the harm it can cause, a policing chief has said. As Sir Sadiq Khan calls for possession of the drug to be decriminalised, David Sidwick, Dorset's police and crime commissioner, has urged that cannabis, currently a Class B drug, should be put on a par with crack cocaine and heroin. Such a move would see the maximum penalties for possession increase from five to seven years in jail, while the maximum penalty for supplying cannabis would rise from 14 years in prison to life. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, also opposed Sir Sadiq's call for cannabis to be decriminalised. He pointed out that drugs were 'at the centre of a lot of crime' and said drug use was one of the main drivers of antisocial behaviour. Sir Sadiq, the Mayor of London, has proposed that the possession of small amounts of natural cannabis should no longer be a criminal offence. Dealing in or producing the drug would remain illegal. Mr Sidwick sets out his demand in a foreword to a new book by Albert Reece and Gary Hulse, two Australian professors of medicine and psychiatry, who have linked cannabis to mental ill-health, autism and cancer. He said there was growing evidence linking psychosis, cancer and birth defects to cannabis use, particularly with the development of more potent strains. Mr Sidwick warned it was also a 'gateway' drug used by crime gangs to lure in users. They then entice them on to addictive class A drugs such as crack that not only provide more profit per unit but also give the gangs greater power to leverage them into criminal activity. 'Cannabis needs to be taken seriously on a national scale because of the danger it presents, and there needs to be money put into prevention and education to ensure people are aware of these dangers,' he said. 'Currently, Class A drugs take precedence when it comes to enforcement and treatment, but it is my view that there is no point focusing on the destination of addiction if we don't stop people getting on the first two or three carriages of the train in the first place. 'Only through reclassifying cannabis will it be treated with the severity it deserves.' The London Drugs Commission, set up by Sir Sadiq, ruled out full legalisation of cannabis in its report because it said any benefits from tax revenues and reduced police workload were outweighed by the potential longer-term health impacts on users. Instead, it proposed that natural cannabis would be removed from the Misuse of Drugs Act and brought under the Psychoactive Substances Act. This would mean possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use would no longer be a criminal offence, but importing, manufacturing and distributing the drug would remain a criminal act. The Home Office has ruled out any reclassification of cannabis. Mr Sidwick's proposals have been backed by Janie Hamilton, a Dorset mother who has campaigned for upgrading cannabis to class A. Her son James died when he was 36 after refusing treatment for testicular cancer. It followed years of battling mental illness, which his family believes was triggered by his addiction to cannabis, which he started using at 14. Ms Hamilton said: 'My beloved son James was a fun-loving, mischievous, clever, tender-hearted boy who wanted to fit in with his peers and be part of the 'in' crowd. This was to be his undoing. 'At the age of 14, unbeknown to us, living at a boarding school where his father taught, he started smoking cannabis. He became arrogant, rude, secretive, rebellious and unpredictable. I remember thinking how I loved him, but that I didn't like him. 'He dropped out of university after one term and took job after job, worrying us with his bizarre behaviour. He shaved his hair, his eyebrows, cut his eyelashes and became aggressive. He would stay in his room all day and come out at midnight to shower and cook. 'One day, he came home from his job on a building site, turning in circles in the garden and all that night. He told me he had spent all his wages on cannabis. I called the doctor the next day and James was sectioned within an hour, diagnosed with schizophrenia.' She said there had been a 16-year cycle of medical treatment, relapses and trouble with the police before her son died. 'Cannabis is everyone's problem. It destroys lives and families. Let no one say that cannabis is harmless – cracking down on this destructive drug is one of the greatest and most urgent needs facing us all,' she said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
