Robert Celt
New Member
Nine out of ten people have backed calls for cannabis to be legalised for recreational use in an Evening Mail poll.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP and Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, is expected to become the first leader of a major political party to call for the class B drug to be made legal for social use at the party's spring conference next month.
And it appears plenty of people support his view in south Cumbria as 90 per cent of respondents to a survey agree it should be made legal.
The news has attracted debate across social media and local politicians have voiced their views for and against the idea.
The issue is one that has split political parties as Councillor Graham Vincent, portfolio holder for health and well-being on South Lakeland District Council and fellow Liberal Democrat, said: "I would be against any move to legalise cannabis because we have massive problems with tobacco and alcohol and these are legal substances.
"The cost to the health service and the ruination to people's lives is massive."
The legalisation of cannabis was discussed in parliament in October after a petition demanding the production, sale and use of cannabis be made legal attracted almost 237,000 signatures.
A response from the government at the time said: "Substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health.
"There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities."
John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: "While there are some valid arguments in favour, I don't think this is a priority and I would want serious study into the effect on mental health that would be caused by an increase in cannabis use triggered by legalisation.
"Only today I was contacted by an informed constituent claiming support for mental health campaigns and support for cannabis legislation were incompatible - I fear that may be true."
Ian Stewart, cabinet member for public health and community services, supports Mr Farron's view.
He said: "The simple answer is yes.
"I believe because of the direction in which things are moving that it will not be long before the call to legalise the recreational use of cannabis becomes too loud for the government to resist.
"Over time the view of society has changed and I think it's no bad thing that people are being encouraged to make their own decisions rather than the state dictating what people should do."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: UK: Massive Public Support For Cannabis To Be Legalised
Author: Staff
Contact: North-West Evening Mail
Photo Credit: None found
Website: North-West Evening Mail
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP and Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, is expected to become the first leader of a major political party to call for the class B drug to be made legal for social use at the party's spring conference next month.
And it appears plenty of people support his view in south Cumbria as 90 per cent of respondents to a survey agree it should be made legal.
The news has attracted debate across social media and local politicians have voiced their views for and against the idea.
The issue is one that has split political parties as Councillor Graham Vincent, portfolio holder for health and well-being on South Lakeland District Council and fellow Liberal Democrat, said: "I would be against any move to legalise cannabis because we have massive problems with tobacco and alcohol and these are legal substances.
"The cost to the health service and the ruination to people's lives is massive."
The legalisation of cannabis was discussed in parliament in October after a petition demanding the production, sale and use of cannabis be made legal attracted almost 237,000 signatures.
A response from the government at the time said: "Substantial scientific evidence shows cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health.
"There are no plans to legalise cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities."
John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: "While there are some valid arguments in favour, I don't think this is a priority and I would want serious study into the effect on mental health that would be caused by an increase in cannabis use triggered by legalisation.
"Only today I was contacted by an informed constituent claiming support for mental health campaigns and support for cannabis legislation were incompatible - I fear that may be true."
Ian Stewart, cabinet member for public health and community services, supports Mr Farron's view.
He said: "The simple answer is yes.
"I believe because of the direction in which things are moving that it will not be long before the call to legalise the recreational use of cannabis becomes too loud for the government to resist.
"Over time the view of society has changed and I think it's no bad thing that people are being encouraged to make their own decisions rather than the state dictating what people should do."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: UK: Massive Public Support For Cannabis To Be Legalised
Author: Staff
Contact: North-West Evening Mail
Photo Credit: None found
Website: North-West Evening Mail
