Latest news with #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.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Sadiq Khan says current cannabis rules 'cannot be justified' and backs some decriminalisation calls
Sir Sadiq Khan has backed calls for the possession of small quantities of natural cannabis to be decriminalised, saying current rules 'cannot be justified'. The Mayor of London said a report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) published on Wednesday had provided 'a compelling, evidence-based case' for decriminalisation and urged the Government to consider the move. Set up by Sir Sadiq in 2022 and chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Charlie Falconer, the LDC found the current laws on cannabis were 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. It also found cannabis policing 'continues to focus on particular ethnic communities', damaging relations between the police and those communities. The commission stopped short of calling for full decriminalisation, saying the long-term harms to public health were 'not yet well understood'. 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. They also called for improved addiction services and greater education for young people on the dangers of cannabis. 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.' 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 was 'a driver for change in our community' and called for 'a more balanced and compassionate approach to policing in our city'. Responding to the report, 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 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 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. '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. '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. 'Sadiq Khan is more interested in politically correct posturing for the benefit of his left-wing friends than he is making London a safe and nice place. '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.'
ITV News
4 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Decriminalise some cannabis possession, says Sadiq Khan
Sir Sadiq Khan has backed calls for the possession of small quantities of natural cannabis to be decriminalised, saying current rules 'cannot be justified'. The Mayor of London said a report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) published on Wednesday had provided 'a compelling, evidence-based case' for decriminalisation and urged the Government to consider the move. Set up by Sir Sadiq in 2022 and chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Charlie Falconer, the LDC found the current laws on cannabis were 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. It also found cannabis policing 'continues to focus on particular ethnic communities', damaging relations between the police and those communities. The commission stopped short of calling for full decriminalisation, saying the long-term harms to public health were 'not yet well understood'. 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. They also called for improved addiction services and greater education for young people on the dangers of cannabis. 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.' 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 was 'a driver for change in our community' and called for 'a more balanced and compassionate approach to policing in our city'. Responding to the report, 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 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 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. '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. '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. 'Sadiq Khan is more interested in politically correct posturing for the benefit of his left-wing friends than he is making London a safe and nice place. '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
Sadiq Khan: Cannabis should not be criminal
Sir Sadiq Khan has called for cannabis possession to be decriminalised over concerns that drug laws are damaging police relations with ethnic communities. The Mayor of London, who oversees Britain's biggest police force, backed decriminalisation after his independent London drug commission found that cannabis laws were 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose, particularly in the case of possession for personal use'. The commission led by Lord Falconer, the former Labour justice secretary, recommended that the possession of small amounts of natural cannabis should no longer be a criminal offence. Dealing or producing the drug would remain illegal. Police would no longer be able to deploy stop and search solely on the suspicion of cannabis possession, the report said, adding: 'The law with respect to cannabis possession is experienced disproportionately by those from ethnic minority (excluding white minority) groups, particularly London's black communities. 'While more likely to be stopped and searched by police on suspicion of cannabis possession than white people, black Londoners are no more likely to be found carrying the drug. 'Cannabis policing continues to focus on particular ethnic communities, creating damaging, long-lasting consequences for individuals, wider society, and police-community relations.' Sir Sadiq does not have the power to legalise cannabis in London, which the national Labour party – including Sir Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary – has opposed. Sir Keir said in 2023 he did not plan to change drug laws if he won the election and last night, the Home Office said it had 'no intention' of reclassifying cannabis. Sir Sadiq urged ministers to consider the proposals, saying: '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.' The commission ruled out full legalisation of cannabis because any benefits from tax revenues and reduced crime were outweighed by the potential longer-term health impacts on users. Instead, it proposed an alternative where natural but not synthetic 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. Under proposed pilot schemes, people caught in possession could be offered counselling and education. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the Tories would oppose any move to decriminalisation. He 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. It is associated with anti-social behaviour and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severe 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. 'Sadiq Khan is more interested in politically correct posturing for the benefit of his Left-wing friends than he is in making London a safe and nice place.' Under current laws, cannabis is a class B drug and those found in possession can face an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail. But almost three quarters (72 per cent) of people caught with cannabis are not prosecuted as police forces have adopted schemes where first offenders are offered the chance to undergo treatment and education rather than get a criminal record. As home secretary in Sir Tony Blair's new Labour Government, Lord Blunkett announced in 2001 that cannabis would be downgraded from class B to class C, reducing the jail sentence to a maximum of two years. This was reversed in 2009 by Baroness Smith of Malvern, the home secretary at the time who is now an education minister, after Gordon Brown became prime minister. Reclassification to class B was hinted at as early as 2005 by Ed Balls, an ally of Mr Brown and husband of Ms Cooper, who said cannabis and the Iraq war were mistakes from which Labour needed to learn. The public is divided on legalisation of cannabis, with 45 per cent backing it and 42 against, according to a YouGov poll in January. Tory voters were two to one against, by 64 per cent to 28 per cent, while Labour voters were in favour by 53 per cent to 33 per cent. Evidence from the US has been mixed. Some states reported reductions in some crimes and tax revenue gains worth tens of millions but in most there has been an increase in drug use and admissions to hospital. The commission report admitted 'early adopters of legalisation urge caution'. It said: 'Risks remain and evidence does not suggest these, at least currently, are outweighed by benefits such as tax revenue rises (in commercial models) or reductions in pressures on criminal justice systems. 'Moreover, legalisation by no means abolishes the illicit cannabis market. Overall, in our view there remain too many unknowns about the longer-term impacts of legalising cannabis, particularly those relating to public health.' Lord Falconer, a former lord chancellor, said: 'This is the most extensive consideration of what is the correct public policy response to cannabis in recent times. It is clear that a fundamental reset is required. '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.' 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. 'We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.' 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.
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Decriminalise some cannabis possession, says Sadiq Khan
The Mayor of London said a report by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC) published on Wednesday had provided 'a compelling, evidence-based case' for decriminalisation and urged the Government to consider the move. Set up by Sir Sadiq in 2022 and chaired by former lord chancellor Lord Charlie Falconer, the LDC found the current laws on cannabis were 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. It also found cannabis policing 'continues to focus on particular ethnic communities', damaging relations between the police and those communities. The commission stopped short of calling for full decriminalisation, saying the long-term harms to public health were 'not yet well understood'. 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. They also called for improved addiction services and greater education for young people on the dangers of cannabis. 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.' 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 was 'a driver for change in our community' and called for 'a more balanced and compassionate approach to policing in our city'. Responding to the report, 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 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 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. '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. '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. 'Sadiq Khan is more interested in politically correct posturing for the benefit of his left-wing friends than he is making London a safe and nice place. '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.'
