goldberry

This is great!

Britain's one of our closest allies so we really can't threaten them for taking this step.

Here's a link to an article about it on bbc http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_...00/2120116.stm

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Shroud

One thing I'm curious about is what exactly does decriminalization mean in reality. Do simply get your marijuana confiscated when caught and made to pay a fine? Does anything happen if you get caught a bunch of times or do you simply have a bunch of fines to pay?

Herb Ninja

Don't forget they increased penaltys on growing. Its not helping, we need all need a full legalization approach, or at least a Netherlands approach. By just fining the users and jailing the growers (with long sentences), its just a little less stupid than the U.S. approach. It may be a step in the right direction though. I'm not sure of my opinion at this time. Peace-

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wakDbuds

theres a great article about it on the front page right now, about how britain is just *****ing around trying to avoid being blasted by the media.

however, i disagree strongly with the opinion that marijuana should be grown only by licenced growers, that would suck. i should be allowed to grow a damn plant on my property without having to pay for some rediculous licence

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Logos

including this one...

But...

Comprimise is the key. Do you honestly think that the government will concede to legalizing marijuana without taxking it? Come on! Do you yhink the non smoking population would allow it to be legalized without taxation?

Taxation is the one really strong tool we have to use to get it legalized, and I'm all for lisencing and taxing.

The reason I'm all for it is because once the stigma of it is gone, and people are seeing that it isn't what they thought it was, then the world might possibly realize that our lives are not our own, and we will finally stand up collectively and demand our freedom!

Guess what, at that point taxation will be fair, and government will no longer be corrupt.

The alternative is what we are starting to see in the world, more conflict, ore strife.

Tax the **** out of it for all I care, but get it legal! Then we can start to work on the corrupt government, and reduce our overall tax burden by firing the leaches!

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Niteshift

Just 2 things to point out:

1) It's not a done deal.

2) The change isn't to go into effect until July 2003


I've already talked to UK officers about it............. already people are acting like the change has happened and are wondering why they're still being arrested when the light up in public.

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Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is muzzle flash.

KWhite

But that is only because Blunkett stopped short of what he first floated.

Every Paper in the Country, that I have read sofar,has criticised precisely this action.
It WOULD have gone into effect immediately.
But under severe pressure from SOME senior police officials to not remove arrest powers, and bowing to the tabloid press.

He got scared.
The reason then, that a year is needed to make this change is the arrest powers have to de delineated and legislated.
Had he decriminalized as originally leaked.
There would not have been a problem.
As the Times, The Guardian, The Scotsman and the Independant all observed:
"Legalize it, or criminalize it, but don't leave us in this muddle" Paraphrased.

A lack of courage in the clinch brought about an intolerable situation.
I expect to see it changed in our favor.
Even the Official Police comission denounced the half measures.
The pressure?
Where did it come from?

Treatment groups, The opposition. the same old same old.

If they drop the arrest requirement.
It can go into effect today, tomorrow..whenever Blunkett makes it happen.
And this is what I expect to see happen.
Kelly