 | NORML News: Britain decriminalises! |
 NORML News Summer 2003-4
New law takes effect Jan 29
After many months of debate and delay, Britain's House of Commons has finally approved a bill that will reschedule cannabis from Class B to a Class C, a category of that includes steroids and some anti-depressants. The measure was passed by a vote of 316-160 and will effectively decriminalise marijuana use and possession on January 29.
By rescheduling cannabis, lawmakers have removed the police power to arrest marijuana users except in special circumstances. In most cases, being caught in possession will mean a fine and loss of the stash.
However, the bill increases penalties for cannabis sales to a maximum of 14 years in prison, leading some critics to call it a half-measure that will not address harms resulting from the herb's black market status.
Meanwhile, Tony Taylor, of Tony's Holistic Centre, the renowned medicinal cannabis dispensary in London remains free after receiving a suspended sentence for charges relating to the importation of 25kg of cannabis.
At his sentencing on November 3 the judge said a custodial sentence was inevitable, but might be suspended in consideration of the evidence that (1) Tony is not a drug dealer in the conventional mould - he's not in it for the money; (2) his clinic is demonstrably helping some people - "he provides a wholly unique service, your honour", interjected Tony's lawyer; (3) and he had no relevant previous convictions. .
Tony got a £7,500 fine, and 18 months, suspended for two years.
As the judge tacitly acknowledged, Tony is performing an invaluable service for the community and he's free to continue, so long as he doesn't get caught over the next couple of years. Which begs the question of where he's going to get his cannabis from?
By HARRY CORDING, with thanks to RUSSELL CRONIN
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