Drugs Counsellor Bascome Supports Public Debate On Marijuana Law, Bermuda Options

[hairy face]

Drugs counsellor Bascome supports public debate on marijuana law
Nelson Bascome yesterday backed an MP's call for a debate on marijuana.

Health Minister Bascome, speaking as a drugs counsellor, said: "In other jurisdictions, especially in the western U.S. and Canada, debates have been able to formalize policy and with that being said, we would expect a debate in Bermuda to formalize [our position] and not continue to frustrate those advocates for or against."

Earlier this week Dale Butler, who as Minister of Rehabilitation, would be expected to spearhead any debate, said he supports the idea, too, but that personally he is dead against decriminalization.

His position appears unchanged from three years ago when he said the matter should be put to the people.

Back then he told us: "It's an issue that needs greater public discussion and to be put to a referendum that would be binding for a 10 or 15 year period."

MP Ashfield DeVent's talked to us about the need for a fresh debate two weeks ago. Yesterday he said he was pleased to hear he's got the support of Mr. Bascome, who has intimate knowledge of the drugs issue having worked at Focus Counselling Services.

But the issue is bigger than any single person's point of view, he said, adding: "That's my reason for calling on Government to have a reasonable and open debate."

Last night Mr. Butler said: "The decision concerning public discussion has to be made by the PLP."

Mr. Bascome, meanwhile, said Mr. Butler's position reflects not just his own views, but also that of his technical officers, which includes the National Drugs Commission. And while Mr. Bascome supports a debate, he does not appear to support softening the laws.

He told us: "As a counsellor I know that marijuana has created issues for lots of our young people and the debate continues to rage on about its medicinal properties and benefits. I was always confronted by people believing that the smoking of marijuana is medicinal, which it certainly is not." If nothing else, he believes a thorough study would put what he considers misconceptions to rest.

The U.K. conducted an in-depth study of marijuana earlier this year. It appointed a Science Select Committee to look at how drugs are classified according to the amount of harm they do.

Health wise, alcohol and tobacco were considered far more harmful than marijuana. Mr. DeVent said he's sure the same would ring true in Bermuda - but again, we need the facts and not arguments based on dubious information.

The MP hopes the Government will initiate what he's asking for, if not, as a last resort he may address the issue through a Private Members Bill.

[Source]

[b8MAN]

"The U.K. conducted an in-depth study of marijuana earlier this year. It appointed a Science Select Committee to look at how drugs are classified according to the amount of harm they do.

Health wise, alcohol and tobacco were considered far more harmful than marijuana. Mr. DeVent said he's sure the same would ring true in Bermuda - but again, we need the facts and not arguments based on dubious information. "


So - they're saying the science select committee provide dubious information? So who do we trust? The ministers? And why did the UK government appoint these unreliable ppl?

The advice was ignored - the issue once again swept under the carpet. The general prevailing view = well, maybe scientifically it's not a harmful drug, but we still don't want to legalise it.


The UK is pathetic. No progress on the cannabis issue in years. Just denial and poor argument. And it's getting worse.

[bongme]

Hi

The UK is pathetic. No progress on the cannabis issue in years. Just denial and poor argument. And it's getting worse.

Say that again anything for there own gain all they do is puff pant and fart around the issue instead of releasing this is a stimulant for the sick not a drug like they think it is, they will not bow down to Facts and prove presented in front of them because they dont want to lose face on the War Against Cannabis Bullshit Campaign all a waste all these 100 years of Billions of £££ right down the toilet...

Labours Modern Britain for you!!! Speak out and silence hits you-!!

Bongme

[pro_libertate]

Right well for starters this dosnt make sense to people in britian because most people dont understand the laws in Bermuda.Firstly yea its a british colony but no it doesnt have the same laws as us,even though they should .Bermuda is still very much in the dark ages when it comes to modern laws and especially the cannabis debate/law.If you get caught with even the slightest bit of cannabis on the island you can expect to end up in jail for a few months depending on situation and amount of course.last thing i read even a henry will get you jail time

Bermuda is a great place dont get me wrong it was my home and always will be,in my heart, but polatics on the island is bad and very influenced by all the US, billion dollar corporations that set up HQ on the island to provide tax havens.Bermuda is very stuck and complex in the grips of money grabbing arse wipes who dont give a fuck about the island ,grrrrrrrrrrrrr sorry i get passionate about "my" island I am white Bermudian and no fucking stuck up thier own arse polatician will ever change that even though they want to grrrrrr

for someone who knows a little bit about the polatics over there this is a huge step forward but it wont change how people are dealt with over there just for having some of the spiritual weed and thats what really matters.that will take a far longer fight ,but god i hope it doesnt,to many good people need the law changed over there

This post has been edited by pro_libertate: Nov 27 2006, 11:50 AM

[crazyorse]

"The U.K. conducted an in-depth study of marijuana earlier this year. It appointed a Science Select Committee to look at how drugs are classified according to the amount of harm they do.

Health wise, alcohol and tobacco were considered far more harmful than marijuana. Mr. DeVent said he's sure the same would ring true in Bermuda - but again, we need the facts and not arguments based on dubious information. "
So - they're saying the science select committee provide dubious information? So who do we trust? The ministers? And why did the UK government appoint these unreliable ppl?

The advice was ignored - the issue once again swept under the carpet. The general prevailing view = well, maybe scientifically it's not a harmful drug, but we still don't want to legalise it.
The UK is pathetic. No progress on the cannabis issue in years. Just denial and poor argument. And it's getting worse.

hasnt there already been two in depth studies one by the british government and one by the americans one lasted 10 yrs the other 15 yrs results showed its not harmful in both studies and what was that programe on the bbc wich told us its the drug of the millenium.thier spokes person an oxford don with mucular dystrophy its time to wake up and smell the sensi dont ya think