Until recently, discussing the legalisation of drugs was seen as the first step to creating a nation of junkies but now even some politicians are willing to admit to smoking a joint. Times are changing as the News Shopper reports...

Derek Conway

Old Bexley/Sidcup (Con)

n Should cannabis be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

JACQUI LAIT

Beckenham

(Con)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes, regulated

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked it? Yes

n If not, would you? Not applicable

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Hope not

DR HOWARD STOATE Dartford

(Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Maybe

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked it? No comment

n Would you? No comment

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No comment

JOHN AUSTIN Erith/Thamesmead (Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be legalised, full stop? Maybe

n Have you ever smoked it? Yes

n If not, would you? Not applicable

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

NIGEL BEARD

Bexleyheath and Crayford (Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No

JOHN RUDDOCK

Lewisham

Deptford (Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be decriminalised, full stop? Yes

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

Jim Dowd

Lewisham West (Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? No comment

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No comment

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No comment

BRIDGET PRENTICE

Lewisham East (Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? No comment

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No comment

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No comment

MICHAEL FALLON

Sevenoaks

(Con)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Maybe

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No

ERIC FORTH

Bromley and Chislehurst (Con)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Debate further

n Should it be legalised, full stop? Debate further

n Have you ever smoked it? No

n If not, would you? Not been offered yet

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

CLIVE EFFORD

Eltham

(Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be legalised, full stop? Maybe

n Have you ever smoked it? 20 years ago

n If not, would you? N/A

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

NICK RAYNSFORD

Greenwich

(Lab)

In response to the five questions the News Shopper put to him on the cannabis debate, Mr Raynsford said: "As a government minister it is not possible for me to respond to questions which have implications in terms of future government policy."

jOHN hORAM

Orpington

(Con)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Yes

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No

n If not, would you? No

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? Yes

CHRIS POND

Gravesham

(Lab)

n Should it be legalised for medicinal purposes? Maybe

n Should it be legalised, full stop? No

n Have you ever smoked cannabis? No comment

n If not, would you? No comment

n Will cannabis be legalised in the next 10 years? No comment

BRIDGET PRENTICE MP Lewisham East says...

It is important to make clear the medicinal use of canna-bis is a completely different issue to that of its use for recreational purposes.

The Government has listened to the debate on medicinal use and has acted by conducting research into the possible benefits of the drug on patients.

The findings will be published soon and the Government has hinted it will act to make the medicinal use of cannabis legal if the report recommends for it to do so.

I have never smoked cannabis, nor do I intend to do so. I doubt it will be legalised completely although I do foresee its use in medicine to be legalised, should the Government's research recommend so.

JACQUI LAIT MP Beckenham says...

I think there needs to be a distinction between legalisation and decriminalisation. I believe under carefully controlled conditions, and if no other remedies are found to cure medical ailments, we should look at legalising cannabis for medical purposes. But this would need to be carefully regulated by the Government.

I am definitely not in favour of legalising cannabis as I feel it is an even bigger health hazard than tobacco. There is not sufficient weight placed on the health implications of cannabis and I feel this side of the argument has been somewhat neglected in recent debates.

I did try and smoke it more than 20 years ago but it did absolutely nothing for me and just put me off my food.

I hope it isn't fully legalised over the next 10 years on the grounds of medical reasons.

CLIVE EFFORD MP Eltham

says...

As far as legalising it "full stop" is concerned, a distinction should certainly be made between cannabis and hard drugs such as heroin, perhaps by decriminalising cannabis.

The current situation where young people are being exposed to hard drugs when purchasing cannabis from drug dealers must be tackled.

I would like to see a Royal Commission established to consider all of the arguments around legalising cannabis.

JOHN AUSTIN MP Erith and Thamesmead says...

With regard to drugs being legalised "full stop", I think they should certainly be decriminalised possibly legalised but I would wish to see a Royal Commission or similar panel first to examine the whole issue of cannabis in the context of the overall policy on drugs.

JIM DOWD MP Lewisham West says...

I think there needs to be a distinction between legalisation and decriminalisation. I believe under carefully controlled conditions, and if no other remedies are found to cure medical ailments, we should look at legalising cannabis for medical purposes. But this would need to be carefully regulated by the Government.

I am definitely not in favour of legalising cannabis as I feel it is an even bigger health hazard than tobacco. There is not sufficient weight placed on the health implications of cannabis and I feel this side of the argument has been somewhat neglected in recent debates.

I did try and smoke it more than 20 years ago but it did absolutely nothing for me and just put me off my food.

I hope it isn't fully legalised over the next 10 years on the grounds of medical reasons.

July 18, 2001 11:02