Prohibition isn't working - Norman Lamb speaks out about his ten minute rule bill on the legalisation of cannabis

I introduced a bill in Parliament to legalise cannabis for recreational and medicine use. The evidence is clear - prohibition isn't working.

It is total hypocrisy that the most dangerous drug of all, in terms of harm to yourself and others, alcohol, is consumed in large quantities right here in our national Parliament, whilst we criminalise others for using a less dangerous drug - with many using it for the relief of pain.

It is shameful that we continue to criminalise people who use cannabis for the relief of pain.

It is shameful that we criminalise many young people for using cannabis, when many people in Government will have themselves used cannabis at some stage of their lives.

And it is predictable that rational, evidence-based reform was opposed by Conservative MPs.

The war on drugs has been a catastrophic failure, leaving young people vulnerable to dangerous strains of cannabis sold by dealers who have absolutely no interest in their welfare.

Meanwhile, the Government's botched reforms on medicinal cannabis are still leaving thousands of people in chronic pain every day.

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