Re: England OKs recreational marijuana

On 12 Sep 2003 09:13:24 -0700, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mars) wrote:

<http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20030912-091226-1584r.htm>

>right on UK!!!!
>
>England OKs recreational marijuana
>
>LONDON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Smoking marijuana will no longer be against
>the law under new British government plans, the London Mirror reported
>Friday.
>
>Beginning January, recreational users of the drug will be free from
>prosecution, unless they are pushers, the newspaper said.
>
>Cannabis will be downgraded to a Class C drug, although people smoking
>near schools and playgrounds will face arrest and have the cannabis
>confiscated.
>
>No further action will be taken unless there are complaints from
>locals, evidence of repeated possession or the smoking is in public.
>
>Anti-drug campaigners fear Britain's approach will encourage
>youngsters to try the drug.
>
>Recent surveys reveal nearly 50 percent of teenagers have already
>experimented with cannabis.
>
>Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans follow a campaign by
>recreational users who argue the drug is less harmful than alcohol.

Nice sentiment from the Washington Times but not correct.

See
        Police criticized for ignoring changes in cannabis laws
        <http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=442520>
        Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

above.

We won't know until the law is passed what effect it will have but
getting caught for possession of cannabis had always been a lottery -
I can never remember anyone I've known getting caught - I suppose my
friends must all be very careful (NOT) or lucky.

Getting caught growing weed will continue to be an arrestable offence
with the same penalties.