TURKEY VOTES FOR CHRISTMAS

by Greg Foxsmith, lawyer

It is probably not wise for a criminal defence lawyer such as me, who makes a living through publicly funded legal aid, to speak at rally that broadly supports the de-criminalisation of cannabis.

After all, if the retail and growing of cannabis were allowed, then a large percentage of defence lawyers would end up out of work, along with redundancies for police officers, customs officers, prison officers and court staff. So supporting this rally for me is a bit like a turkey voting for Christmas!

However, both as a lawyer and a tax-paying citizen, I do have to question where is the value in squandering resources on the policing and punishing of cannabis users?

I also ask, if the government is, as it says, intending to put the victim at the "heart of the criminal justice system", how does this sit comfortably with the policing of possession of cannabis, which is a victimless crime?

The re-classification of cannabis to a class C drug has not stopped simple possession of cannabis from being an arrestable offence, and there are vast differences in the way in which different police forces are using their powers, adding to the confusion which has already followed the change. In Camden, for example, where I work, there is a positive arrest policy! (As I said earlier, this is good for business, but nothing else...). How someone is dealt with for possession of cannabis is a post code lottery.

I fear this government, at the behest of the tabloid agenda-setters, will allow cannabis to revert to a class B drug. You can tell they have absolutely no idea about drugs, and no coherent drug policy, by examining the haste with which they rush to outlaw the sale of fresh, natural mushrooms, currently sold with ease in Camden and elsewhere. Possession of magic mushrooms will from 1st of June be illegal, and mushrooms in their natural state will be a class A drug, as are dried or prepared mushrooms already, and punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment.

And this, notwithstanding the absence of any health fears, and no links with other criminal activity. (After 12 years in criminal law, I have never yet come across a case of anyone being mugged by a 'shroomer! )

And as for cannabis, may I simply indorse the statement of the cannabis education reform trust, "prohibition of cannabis is the most expensive mistake in British legal history". Furthermore, with so many otherwise law-abiding people using cannabis, prohibition and current policing practice brings the law into disrepute, and causes contempt for policy makers and resentment against police.

In conclusion, I urge you to write to your MPs in support of a sensible drugs policy, check out your local policing strategy, and most of all, for as long as cannabis remains illegal, give me a call if you get nicked. After all, I've got bills to pay and a wife and kid to support!

Thank you.

Greg Foxsmith, lawyer