Cannabis users to face fixed penalty
The News Review:
- Cannabis users to face fixed penalty
- Patriots’ Faulk cited for marijuana possession
- BBC film to show effects of injecting cannabis
- Labour hopeful: decriminalise cannabis and license heroin
- Dubai pardons Briton ‘with cannabis on shoe’
- Policy towards cannabis ‘a nonsense’, says judge
- Nigeria: NDLEA Arrests Hemp Dealers
Cannabis users to face fixed penalty
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 26, 2008
Only a fraction of the estimated three million regular cannabis smokers in Britain are punished. Figures for the Metropolitan Police show that between April 2005 and January 2006, 24,916 people in London were accused of cannabis possession. But nearly seven in 10 were let off with a formal warning. Article continues advertisement.
Patriots’ Faulk cited for marijuana possession
Toronto Star – Feb 26, 2008
–New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was issued a misdemeanour summons for possession of marijuana Tuesday. John Babin of the Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force confirmed the summons. Faulk, a Louisiana native and former LSU star, was on his way to a suite in the Lafayette Cajundome to watch a performance by rapper Lil Wayne, when a routine search by a sheriff's deputy turned up four marijuana cigarettes, Babin said. Everyone heading to the suites was searched, Babin said.
BBC film to show effects of injecting cannabis
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 26, 2008
Miss Taylor was injected with THC, the main component of “skunk” cannabis, last October at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London. The experiment is legal as it takes place in a laboratory licensed to carry out such tests. The scientists are running tests to analyse claims that skunk cannabis, which accounts for 80 per cent of the drug sold on the street, causes psychosis. Miss Taylor was then filmed as the effects of the drug took hold. Dr Paul Morrison, one of the scientists in charge of the programme, told The Daily Telegraph: “I can’t talk about the experiences of any of our participants without their say-so. The BBC also declined to provide a detailed account of what happened. However, one source who has seen the effects on Miss Taylor said: “The effect was dramatic.
Labour hopeful: decriminalise cannabis and license heroin
Sunday Herald – Feb 26, 2008
Norman Murray, who will contest Edinburgh East and Musselburgh for Labour in the Holyrood elections, has also described his colleagues’ plan to stop drug users having children as “complete and utter nonsense”. He has called for the decriminalisation of cannabis and believes the police have made “strong arguments” for licensing cocaine and heroin. advertisement
The remarks deepen the row brewing inside Scottish Labour on drugs policy. In recent years, Scottish ministers had apparently settled for a series of harm reduction measures geared towards helping addicts take drugs in a safer environment. However, the past year has seen senior Labour figures call for the abandoning of that approach, instead backing “contracts” for drug users, which could include abstinence and a commitment not to have any more children. Last week the justice minister, Cathy Jamieson, announced the first addict contracts… I just found that distasteful and it is part of the wrong message we are sending people. ”
Murray, who is currently the leader of East Lothian Council, called for a more liberal approach to drugs, such as rethinking the laws on cannabis. “Decriminalisation of cannabis is something I believe we should be arguing for. My own party isn’t arguing that, but it’s a view I strongly hold. Such a policy would take cannabis out of the black market. ”
He added: “Criminalisation is not working, and the police will tell you that. Cannabis does not lead to class A drugs, but it does allow the dealers to experiment with young people.
Dubai pardons Briton ‘with cannabis on shoe’
NEWS.com.au – Feb 26, 2008
The Gulf News reported on February 19 that a Dubai court had sentenced British dance DJ Grooverider to four years in prison for drug possession. The newspaper said 2. 16 grams of marijuana was found in his luggage at the airport in November when he arrived to perform a gig in the emirate. Share this article.
Policy towards cannabis ‘a nonsense’, says judge
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 26, 2008
“People are often addicted to it. It’s an awful drug and it’s the gateway to other drugs. “If those who say cannabis is a leisure drug sat in this court, day in day out, and saw what I see I would like to think they would dramatically change their minds as to whether it should be classified as Class C or Class B. Judge Murphy spoke out after hearing how Jerome Blake, 19, had been an inspirational community worker in Sheffield’s deprived Burngreave area. But he began peddling heroin in order to feed his £20-a-day addiction to cannabis. Article continues advertisement.
Nigeria: NDLEA Arrests Hemp Dealers
AllAfrica.com – Feb 26, 2008
The Commander, Dr Ngozi Madubuike, said yesterday in Abakaliki that the suspects were arrested at their residence. GA_googleFillSlot(“AllAfrica_Story_Inset”); At the time of arrest, a bag containing 13 kilogram of Indian hemp was found inside the roof. Madubuike said the arrest was a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit drugs in the state. The commander said that the suspects would soon appear in court after official report had been sent to NDLEA headquarters in Lagos. She said that four drug dealers were recently jailed and warned those that engaged in the trade to look for another means of livelihood. Madubuike observed that the number of youths that used the illicit drugs in the state was on the increase.