Never thought I'd say this.

I admire William Hague.

Shameful ******* in government are killing people because they are scared of the tabloids.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44526156

 

Good

honest local lad

 

He’s still a spunk monkey though.

 

The government have binned it already. I'd hoped people might grow up a bit. Ah f-ing well.

 

Agreed. On this issue, he's spot on.

 

Come on, you are a clever bloke. If a Tory sticks their neck out, they are still a tory, but look at the bigger picture.

 

Fair play to him for speaking out.

I think we need to seriously rethink our drug policies and legislation, given that society has changed so much since the misuse of drugs act came into force back in the 70s.

I'm not pro 'legalise everything'- can't see the benefits of legalising crystal meth for instance, but cannabis oil should be legalised.

I'm not sure what the solution is for the rest.

 

I do speak to people who live on the streets & the worst drugs are spice & crystal meth. Separating these drugs from cannabis users seems a very pragmatic way forward. Sadly Boris, Javid, May & Mogg don't give a flying ****.

 

I certainly can see a benefit to legalising certain drugs- especially the ones that are being mixed with allsorts of crap- just unsure as to how we could go about it.

Ecstasy is shown to be far less harmful than other drugs but obviously has a longstanding issue with being substituted for other drugs. More recently fentanyl is creeping into heroin batches which is extremely worrying.

 

The thing is JP, it's easy to take this stance when you're not in government but no government ever seems to want to take the issue on while serving. Personally I don't know enough about the scientific or medical facts / details to reach an unwavering or conclusive opinion.

It does appear that the government look like they will consider changing the law for medical reasons but not recreational which I do agree with.

 

Technocracy isn't always the answer, but I think that in this case the legalisation or otherwise of substances should be decided by a committee of medical professionals, based on a dispassionate assessment of harm caused.

I have no doubt that, under this system, the likes of cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and most psychedelics would be legalised overnight. It would provide a huge tax take and allow law enforcement to concentrate on areas of greater harm. On the other hand, things like smoking could be phased out gradually (and I speak as a smoker).

 

Perhaps you admire what he said.

If The Yorkshire Ripper advocated legalising cannabis, I hope you wouldn't admire him just because of that.

As for William Hague, he can sup 19 pints on a night out around Wath. With a baseball cap on. That is worthy of admiration.

Is that Welsh wife of his up the duff yet? Or is he still too busy judo throwing Sebastian Coe?

My impersonation of William Hague is legendary. I've warmed to him over the years.

 

A point commonly made is that both nicotine and alcohol are more harmful than some class A drugs at present. It does need looking at.

 

This sort of sums up how I feel but I keep coming back to the tax take element and why the government don't take advantage when public opinion seems to be overwhelmingly in favour of the legalisation of some drugs. Does the medical advice they have been given run contrary to public opinion?

 

No he’s clearly right about this a sensible govt would do it in a heartbeat.

 

As a health professional and from speaking to other health professionals/ from reading psychiatrist David Nutt's book (drugs without the hot air), the research is there but the government doesn't appear to be interested.

 

But is it conclusive. I was listening to a radio phone in and there were still some calls stating there is evidence to link some of the drugs being talked about with pyschological problems.

I'm far from being an expert and I bow to your greater knowledge but just listening to both sides of the debate lead me to conclude that it must be an ethical nightmare for any government.

I wonder whether conclusive data from other countries who have legalised drugs still raises some concerns, however small.

 

I'm not sure I buy that argument anymore. The days of the press wielding such influence are gone. Both major parties know that they must appeal to a whole new type of voter, the kind of voter who get their news from different sources and who are largely in favour of legalisation.

 

My main concern is with the strength of cannabis at present.

Evidence does suggest that cannabis can lead to psychosis and it is a fact that people with schizophrenia tend to smoke more weed than other sections of society. Others believe however that they were already susceptible to psychosis in the first place and that the drug merely unlocks this.

I do think it is an ethical nightmare by the way, but i think it's time the govt. pulled their finger out and properly explored the options.