This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-15770842

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ex-MI5 boss to call for cannabis to be decriminalised Ex-MI5 boss to call for cannabis to be decriminalised
(about 4 hours later)
  
Ex-MI5 chief Baroness Manningham-Buller is set to call for cannabis to be decriminalised in a speech.Ex-MI5 chief Baroness Manningham-Buller is set to call for cannabis to be decriminalised in a speech.
The crossbench peer believes that only by regulating the sale of cannabis can its psychotic effects be controlled.The crossbench peer believes that only by regulating the sale of cannabis can its psychotic effects be controlled.
She is also expected to say the "war on drugs" has been "fruitless".She is also expected to say the "war on drugs" has been "fruitless".
Her speech to the all-party parliamentary drugs group is likely to single out politicians who "go quiet" when faced by "crude assertions" of the harm caused by changing drugs policy.Her speech to the all-party parliamentary drugs group is likely to single out politicians who "go quiet" when faced by "crude assertions" of the harm caused by changing drugs policy.
She joins a growing list of high profile figures including Dame Judi Dench, Sting, Sir Richard Branson and former senior police officers who have urged the legalisation of some drugs.She joins a growing list of high profile figures including Dame Judi Dench, Sting, Sir Richard Branson and former senior police officers who have urged the legalisation of some drugs.
Lady Manningham-Buller's speech will form part of a two-day parliamentary conference on drugs policy hearing contributions from narcotics experts from around the world.Lady Manningham-Buller's speech will form part of a two-day parliamentary conference on drugs policy hearing contributions from narcotics experts from around the world.
'Knee-jerk opposition'
Regulating cannabis would mean that society focused on the health aspects of drug use rather than the criminalisation of drug users, she is expected to say.Regulating cannabis would mean that society focused on the health aspects of drug use rather than the criminalisation of drug users, she is expected to say.
Regulation would also ensure that it did not include the components most dangerous to mental health.Regulation would also ensure that it did not include the components most dangerous to mental health.
Although it is understood that she will not name David Cameron or any other politician, her speech is expected to criticise the reaction of politicians to the "taboo area" of drugs.Although it is understood that she will not name David Cameron or any other politician, her speech is expected to criticise the reaction of politicians to the "taboo area" of drugs.
She is expected to say it is "extraordinary" that while drugs are harmful to society, destroy lives and increase crime, there is "knee jerk opposition" to change and an assumption that the current policy is best.She is expected to say it is "extraordinary" that while drugs are harmful to society, destroy lives and increase crime, there is "knee jerk opposition" to change and an assumption that the current policy is best.
While politicians may recognise that there are serious questions about the efficacy of current policies, they "go quiet or retract when face by the crude assertion that any other policy would do corrosive and irreparable harm".While politicians may recognise that there are serious questions about the efficacy of current policies, they "go quiet or retract when face by the crude assertion that any other policy would do corrosive and irreparable harm".
Baroness Meacher, who is the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on drugs policy reform - at which Baroness Manningham-Buller is speaking - is calling on David Cameron to take action.
"We are urging the prime minister to bring forward an all party commission to examine our drug laws which are simply not working," she said.
"We are one of the highest users of drugs and yet we have some of the toughest laws."
'White flag'
But Chip Somers of the drug treatment group Focus 12 says decriminalising cannabis is the wrong way forward.
"I don't want the person driving the train I'm on to have just had a joint thank you very much," he said. "I am reassured by the fact that it is illegal."
Christian Guy, policy director of the Centre for Social Justice, agreed that the "war on drugs" was failing, but said that was no reason to "surrender".Christian Guy, policy director of the Centre for Social Justice, agreed that the "war on drugs" was failing, but said that was no reason to "surrender".
He added: "What I am concerned about is the idea that we should stop fighting it and wave the white flag to these criminal gangs and say that we walk away and give up.He added: "What I am concerned about is the idea that we should stop fighting it and wave the white flag to these criminal gangs and say that we walk away and give up.
"We need a clear message from law that says this is wrong and sends the right message to young people. But we also need to take other things more seriously."We need a clear message from law that says this is wrong and sends the right message to young people. But we also need to take other things more seriously.
"This is the wrong call at the wrong time. We need to look at how we prevent drugs use and deal with the demand, not necessarily the supply, and we also need to look at treatment which needs to become much more effective at getting people off drugs and rebuilding their lives, and I think this is a distraction.""This is the wrong call at the wrong time. We need to look at how we prevent drugs use and deal with the demand, not necessarily the supply, and we also need to look at treatment which needs to become much more effective at getting people off drugs and rebuilding their lives, and I think this is a distraction."
Three years ago, the then Labour government reclassified cannabis to Class B from C - against the advice of its own drug advisers who said cannabis played only a "modest" role in the development of psychotic illnesses.Three years ago, the then Labour government reclassified cannabis to Class B from C - against the advice of its own drug advisers who said cannabis played only a "modest" role in the development of psychotic illnesses.