North Wales PCC Calls For Support in Legalising Medicinal Cannabis
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has called for support in the legalising of medicinal cannabis.
In a letter sent to politicians Plaid Cymru’s Arfon Jones requested backing for an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform who are leading a drive to legalise medicinal cannabis.
Currently cannabis is listed as a Class B drug and is illegal to use for medicinal purposes.
Recently a report published by the cross party group concluded that there is ‘good evidence that medical cannabis helps alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain’.
However the move has been criticised by Welsh Conservatives and described as ‘reckless’ by Clwyd West AM Darren Millar.
Mr Millar said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Arfon Jones knows first-hand the damaging effects drugs is having on our communities, so it was with some surprise and disappointment that I received his letter.
“Cannabis, whether used for medicinal or recreational purposes, is a dangerous substance and would have catastrophic consequence to health and society if it was ever legalised.
“We already have problems with addiction to and the illegal trading of prescription drugs, legalising cannabis would make matters even worse.”
He added: “The commissioner’s calls are as reckless as they are misguided, and serve only to cultivate a ruinous laissez faire attitude to drugs, which are already taking their toll on public services and families affected by their use.”
The letter sent out by Mr Jones references the legalisation of medicinal cannabis to help alleviate pain of those across the country who are living in pain.
Within the letter Mr Jones writes: “I enclose for your information a letter I received recently from Mr Ron Hogg, Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington and who also sits on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Reform.
“The group recently launched their inquiry report calling on the UK government to legalise medicinal cannabis based on the results of their seven month inquiry into the issue and on the findings of an independent review.
“The inquiry has produced strong evidence that policy reform in this field is long overdue.”
In his letter Mr Jones adds: “Can I ask that you support this call to legalise medicinal cannabis and help to alleviate the pain and suffering of at least 30,000 people across the UK.”
UPDATE 9:41pm We have just had the following sent through from the PR Consultants employed by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner:
Here’s a response from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones on the issue of legalising cannabis for medicinal use….
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “I issued the letter in support of a call by my colleague, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, Ron Hogg, a former deputy chief constable, for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use only.
“The debate around drug policy has moved on considerably in recent years and the view that cannabis for medicinal purposes should be legalised is not only held by me but is shared by many Commissioners of all political hues.
“My stance on drugs is a matter of record and was a part of my manifesto when I was seeking election as Commissioner, an election that I won with a significant majority.
“An All Party Parliamentary group has called for the drug’s legalisation for medicinal use and there is significant research that signposts that its use is of considerable benefit to sufferers from MS and other forms of illness and that at least 30,000 people use it daily.
“Illness can be an isolating experience, especially if your medicine is illegal, and it surely wrong that people seeking relief from suffering should be criminalised for using cannabis to treat their illnesses.”
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