From: jf@decuk.uvo.dec.com (Jason Flowers)
Subject: Advertisement in the UK Times..
Reply-To: jf@decuk.uvo.dec.com (Jason Flowers)
Organization: Digital Equipment Co. Ltd. CSC/UK
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 14:22:21 GMT




	Hi all,

	Just thought I'd let you know that the 24th of July issue of the
	'The Times' newspaper features a full page legalise cannabis 
	advertisement, this is 25 years after the fist one appeared,
	The advertisement goes like this...

	
	JUST SAY NOW (in large bold type across the page)

	Cannabis smoking is a common feature of British life. The number
	of people estimated to have used cannabis in this country is now 
	recognised to be in excess of 5 million. More people smoke cannabis
	than go to football matches, visit art galleries or go to church
	on a Sunday. The people who use it are from all walks of life, all
	age groups, all social classes and all sections of the community.
	They do not fit any conventional stereotype - in fact the only 
	thing they have in common is that they are all breaking the law. By
	participating in a recreational activity for which there is still
	no conclusive evidence to demonstrate that is causes any significant
	harm, they are branded criminal. The only time people who use
	cannabis should be subject to criminal law is when their drug causes
	harm to others.
	The argument that cannabis leads people inevitably to addiction to
	harder drugs has proved worthless. The only link of any kind lies
	with the law's insistence on bracketing cannabis with other drugs
	thereby seducing some who will use and enjoy it into the mistaken
	belief that other drugs are equally harmless.
	Not only is the prohibition of cannabis a law which lacks justifica-
	tion and credibility it is also an affront to individual's liberty
	and a constant threat to the welfare of significant sections of 
	society. It is a law which has proved immoral in principle and 
	unworkable in practice.
	Reform of the law on the use of cannabis would involve an effective
	legal framework of controls and licensing. Reform of the law would
	ensure proper information and regulation around cannabis use in a 
	way that already exists for many other substances and commodities.
	Reform of the law would help restore confidence and credibility in
	response to drug use. Reform of the law would show a responsibility
	and maturity which we have yet been unwilling to display.
	In the light of overwhelming evidence that our present law is 
	iniquitous and unjust we call upon the Government and citizens of
	the UK to abolish the prohibition of cannabis and legalise its use
	now.

	
	The Experts Say

	"Having reviewed all the material available to use we find ourselves
	in agreement with the conclusions reached by the Indian Hemp Drugs
	Commision appointed by the Government of India (1893-1894) and the
	New York mayor's commitee on marijuana (1944) that the long-term
  	use of cannabis in moderation has no harmful effects."
	- THE ADVISORY COMMITEE ON DRUG DEPENDENCY (THE WOOTON COMMITTEE), 1968
	
	"There is insufficient evidence to enable us to reach any incontestable
	conclusions as to the effects on the human body of the use of cannabis,
	but that much of the research undertaken so far has failed to 
	demonstrate positive and significant harmful effects in man 
	attributable solely to the use of cannabis"
	- THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE MISUSE OF DRUGS, REPORT OF THE EXPERT
	  GROUP ON THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS USE, HOME OFFICE, 1981

	"On any objective reckoning cannabis must at present get a cleaner
	 bill of health than out other legalised 'recreational drugs'."
	- A REPORT ON DRUGS AND DRUG DEPENDENCE BY THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF
	  PSYCHIATRISTS, 1987

	"Medicines often produce side effects. Sometimes they are physically
	 unpleasant. Many doctors consider marijuana effective in relieving
	 the nausea of chemotherapy, treating glaucoma and helping Aids
	 patients to gain weight. It too has discomforting side effects, but
	 these are not physical they are political."
	 - THE ECONOMIST MARCH 28TH, 1992, MEDICAL MARIJUANA THE LAST SMOKE

	"These studies would suggest that cannabis smoking seems to be a well
	 established leisure activity of up to 10% of young adults. It is
	 no longer true to say, if it ever was, that cannabis smoking is a
	 sign of affiliation to an 'alternative' life style. Clearly, in the
	 light of its popularity and to a degree its apparent social accepta-
	 bility, questions are raised abot the legalisation of cannabis."
	 - THE MISUSE OF DRUGS, OFFICE OF HEALTH ECONOMICS, 1992
	
	"The only solution to the drug problem is the legalisation of all
	 drugs. If this is too radical and too much opposed to recieved
	 wisdom and decades of conditioning then perhaps we could begin
	 by repealing the laws against the drug which has been shown by
	 several impartial investigations to be at least no more harmful
	than alcohol, and whose use causes the most conflict between users
	and the law: cannabis."
	- SERGEANT GORDON PAYNE, THE POLICE REVIEW, 28/2/92

	"Penalties against possesion of a drug should not be more damaging
	 to an individual than the use of the drug itself: and where they
	 are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than the
	 laws against possesion of marijuana in private for personal use."
	- US PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, QUOTING FROM THE N.C.M.D.A., 1977

	"It seems likely that if there were any hazards associated with the
	 use of cannabis, they would be fairly well known by no, but all the
	 available evidence suggests that cannabis is no more damaging a drug
	 than tea or coffee. Indeed it is probably less dangerous than drinks
	 containing caffeine."
	- DR VERNON COLEMAN MB CHB, 1992

	"Drug addiction and drug misuse should primarily be treated as a 
	 subject of health and welfare and not as one of police and justice.
	 Posession of illicit drugs in small quantities for personal use
	 should not be considered as a criminal offence."
	- EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COMMITTEE ON ENQUIRY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, 1991

	The signatories to this petition call upon the Home Secretary to
	recognise that the overwhelming weight of evidence demonstrates that
	the prohibition of cannabis has promoted criminality, conflict and
	more harm to the individual and society than its use ever has. On 
	behalf of the citizen and the community we therefore call on him to
	introduce a programme of reform of the law which will include:

	1. The abolition of the possesion of cannabis as a criminal offence.
	
	2. A thorough review to examine appropriate measures for the 
	   establishment of legal and properly regulated sources for the
	   supply of cannabis.

	(there then follows a list of 213 'public' names, including doctors
	 MP's, etc,etc...my fave is Dave Gilmour from Pink Floyd..good on ya
	 Dave!)

	
	Jeez...that was long...


	J



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| Jason Flowers             | jf@decuk.uvo.dec.com                            |
| Digital Equipment Co.     | jf@decuk.enet.dec.com                           |
| Customer Support Centre   |                                                 |
| Jays Close,               | All opinions expressed are my own...            |
| Basingstoke, Hampshire,   |                                                 |
| England.                  | "Life's too short for all that shit." D.Gilmour |
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