Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, today told Parliament that he was “delighted” that the Government would not be decriminalising cannabis after his personal experience of “devastation to families and loss of children” caused by the drug.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid was today announcing a review into the medical use of cannabis following the case of Billy Caldwell, for whom an emergency licence was granted for cannabis-based medicine to alleviate his life-threatening epileptic seizures.
“The course of action in this case was unprecedented, “ said Mr Javid. “There is strong scientific evidence that cannabis can harm people’s mental and physical health and damage communities. There are currently no legally recognised medicinal or therapeutic benefits.”
“Let me be absolutely clear, this step is in no way the first step in the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. This Government have absolutely no plans to legalise cannabis, and the penalties for unauthorised supply and possession will remain unchanged. We will not set a dangerous precedent or weaken our ability to keep dangerous drugs off the streets”
“I absolutely understand the Government’s review of this policy,” said Drax, “and I welcome it for those who suffer and need this drug to make them better, but may I just say that, from my own life experience, I am delighted that the Government are not going to decriminalise the use of drugs. All too often, people start on cannabis and end on something far worse, and I have personally seen the devastation to families and the loss of children because of drugs.”
Replying to Richard Drax’s point, the Home Secretary said, “I agree wholeheartedly.”