Legalisation isn t new. From street bookmakers we legalised betting shops. From back-street abortions we legalised the health service. From the crime of buggery emerged understanding and legalisation of homosexual relationships and from what was the crime of suicide emerged compassion and support. In none of these cases would we now turn the clock back.
Legalisation is available in the field of drugs let s use it.
I have a real personal problem with de-criminalisation that goes beyond debating what is the most acceptable word. I support legalisation because I believe that prohibition causes too many problems and is ineffectual. De-criminalisation appears to be an acceptance of possession whilst leaving supply in the hands of criminals. To do so would earmark this country for a visit by every criminal organisation in the world heading for an accepted legal market but with a criminal monopoly on supply and profit. That looks to me like the worst of both worlds .