ClaudioEllistonMDX 12:41, May 9, 2011 (UTC)thumb|300px|right
http://mcs1000.wikia.com/wiki/S04_Tues,_2.30_-_3.30,_M003
The Green Party
Cannabis – a backgroundCannabis is viewed by certain members of society as dangerous, and seen as nothing but a cause for trouble and problems. However, a quarter of people aged 16-24 have used cannabis in the past year, according to www.straightstatistics.org. This shows an obvious correlation between the people using cannabis and the younger generation. In order to keep up with the interests and habits of the younger generation, we feel that the government should legalise cannabis.
Why is it pressing now?More and more people of all ages, not just the younger generation, are using cannabis on a regular basis as a means of relaxation, pain relief and recreation. Also, more and more prison sentences are being handed out to those found in possession of cannabis in any amount, more than twice, and those found to be in a large supply can serve up to 14 years for “intent to supply”. This is definitely a cause for overcrowding within the UK prisons which in recent years has been flagged as a major issue. Cannabis rarely causes major problems within society, while murderers, rapists and burglars are given shorter sentences and realised early due to the overcrowding. If cannabis were to be legalised then surely thousands of prison spaces would be freed up. According to www.talktofrank.com, a site designed to raise drug awareness, the maximum penalty for possession is 5 years and an unlimited fine. The penalty for intent to supply is a maximum of 14 years and an unlimited fine. Cannabis has also been found to relieve pain in a way which most sedatives cant. The use of cannabis for medical reasons could prevent a lot of sufferers from any pain they may be in. Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in California and since the legalisation there have been no negative implications.
Why do we want to take action on this issue?We feel that the way the law currently stands is highly unfair. Legally preventing people from relieving any pain they may be suffering from, including stress related problems, is immoral and has few grounds to stand on. When describing the risks of cannabis, it is often compared to alcohol and cigarettes. Why should cannabis be illegal, when alcohol and cigarettes both provide similar risks?
Why should people support our campaign?Currently recent home office statistics show that there are around 158,000 convictions for cannabis possession a year. According to Britain’s leading expert on cannabis, Professor Pertwee, cannabis is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. He suggests that it be legalised and sold in shops to those over the age of 21 and with a cannabis licence provided by their GP. This would stop the sale of cannabis to those who may not be able to smoke it safely, with no risk of repercussions. We follow the same train of thought as Professor Pertwee and agree with his theory. A cannabis licence would allow the government to control the distribution of cannabis and would de-criminalise it. It would also de-criminalise ordinary people that have fallen foul of the law on previous occasions, due to cannabis use and or possession. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/14/cannabis-licence-legalisation-pertwee. Professor David Nutt was also sacked as a government drugs advisor after he criticised the government’s policy on the drug. This then caused another five to resign in protest.
MichaelCanhamMDX 15:29, February 22, 2011 (UTC)
Rolph90 02:19, February 23, 2011 (UTC)
Meeting Minutes
Minutes for The Green Party Campaign Group
Meeting 1 – 8th February 2011
Present: Michael Canham, Rolph Angelucci-Edwards, Claudio Eliston
Apologies: None
Key Discussion Points and Decisions:
· All agreed to campaign on the legalization of Cannabis
· All agreed to campaign locally
· Research dossier begun, and posted on wiki
· Look for references in the scientific sector of the government concerning drugs
Next weeks meeting agenda:
· Complete research dossier and post on wiki
· Logistics of campaign organized
· Research medical benefits of Cannabis in more depth
· Methods brainstorm
Minutes for The Green Party Campaign Group
Meeting 2 – 15th February 2011
Present: Michael Canham, Rolph Angelucci-Edwards, Claudio Elliston
Apologies: None
Key Discussion Points and Decisions:
· Carried out more in depth research into the medical nature of Cannabis and how it can be used as a medicinal drug
· Looked into places such as Amsterdam and how their economic system embraces the drug
· Organized a petition and a survey to determine public opinions on the legalization of Cannabis
· Brainstormed ideas on campaign tactics and raising public awareness
Next weeks meeting agenda:
· Impact of legalization on the criminal justice system
· Cannabis legalization in relation to generating controlled taxable income within the UK
· Possibility of a Cannabis license to control the distribution and sales of the drug
Minutes for The Green Party Campaign Group
Meeting 3 – 22nd February 2011
Present: Michael Canham, Rolph Angelucci-Edwards, Claudio Elliston
Apologies: None
Key Discussion Points and Decisions:
· Researched statistics on the cost of Cannabis laws being enforced within the UK
· Discussed and researched how much income could potentially be generated by the taxation and sale of Cannabis in controlled environments (e.g. shops qualifying for a cannabis sales license)
· Looked further into the idea of a license to control the sale of Cannabis in shops and also the idea of a license for the consumer to be able to purchase Cannabis.
Next weeks meeting agenda:
· Collating research
· Writing up notes
· Handing out surveys/petition
Minutes for The Green Party Campaign Group
Meeting 4 – 8th March 2011
Present: Michael Canham, Rolph Angelucci-Edwards, Claudio Eliston
Apologies: None
Key Discussion Points and Decisions:
· Gave out surveys
· Started thinking about campaign publicity in the local area
· Organized a debate with a group of students
· Wrote up research to provide debate members with information and facts on the topic
Next weeks meeting agenda:
· Create a Facebook page to gain publicity online
· Start putting together a presentation
· Organizing an event
Minutes for The Green Party Campaign Group
Meeting 5 – 15th March 2011
Present: Michael Canham, Rolph Angelucci-Edwards, Claudio Elliston
Apologies: None
Key Discussion Points and Decisions:
· Created a Facebook page and invited all friends to join it, and invite their friends
· Started compiling and compressing research for the presentation
· Event organization postponed to next week
Next weeks meeting agenda:
· Organizing an event
· Continue planning presentation
· Booking a room for a debate
MichaelCanhamMDX 15:16, May 8, 2011 (UTC)
158.94.130.16 12:07, May 9, 2011 (UTC)
Rolph90 12:08, May 9, 2011 (UTC)
ClaudioEllistonMDX 12:41, May 9, 2011 (UTC)
Debate
Our debate was held on Thursday the 7th April the cat hill campus. We started off by asking everyone what their opinions were on cannabis laws. Most people agreed with us that cannabis should be legalised. However, it turned out that a lot of people were unaware of the actual legal implications of possessing cannabis and when we read out the potential punishments people were extremely surprised. We invited everyone to share their views. At then end we handed round a survey to some of the people that attended. On this survey we asked what people thought of cannabis laws before and what they thought now after the debate. We also asked them what they had learned as a direct result of attending that evening. We were pleased to see that many people had absorbed a lot of the information that we had given and that they reported back that it was useful to them.
ClaudioEllistonMDX 12:47, May 9, 2011 (UTC)
Research dossier
Ian Sample, Guardian online: last edited on Tuesday 14 September 2010 , Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/14/cannabis-licence-legalisation-pertwee
(last accessed on 09/05/2011)
Peter Gould, BBC online: last edited on Tuesday, 6 February, 2001, 09:01 GMT , Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1154996.stm (last accessed on 09/05/2011)
Sky News online: last edited on Thursday October 02, 2008 , Available at http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Health/Cannabis-Is-Safer-Than-Alcohol-And-Cigarettes-Says-A-Report-From-The-Beckley-Foundation/Article/200810115111596 (last accessed on 09/05/2011)
Amsterdam. Info Tourist information : last edited in 2005, Available at http://www.amsterdam.info/drugs/ (last accessed on 09/05/2011)
Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times online: last edited October 02, 2010 Available at http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/02/local/la-me-marijuana-20101002 (last accessed on 09/05/2011)
Rolph90 14:49, May 9, 2011 (UTC)
158.94.0.123 15:10, May 9, 2011 (UTC)