Conference Calls
1. For the decriminalisation of the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes once a sufficient evidence base has proven efficacy and an appropriate treatment protocol developed as a model.

For the decriminalisation of cannabis for recreational use for purchase from registered licensed premises, thereby cutting the supply line of cannabis from illegal drug dealers.

The reply goes on to say;

"It is not however a very prominent policy, failing to make it into any of our recent manifestos. I hope this is of some use and if you have any further enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact the Policy Unit here."
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Mr Norris Nuvo who lives in Cardiff recently wrote to leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg, after one of his junior MP's, Tom Brake, tabled a Ten Minute Rule bill in Parliament, in a bid to outlaw the sale of cannabis seeds.

Mr Nuvo suffers from Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a painful condition which manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, some of which can be as large as baseballs or as small as a pea, and that are extremely painful. They may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation, sometimes requiring the drainage of pus, often leaving open wounds that will not heal. Drainage provides at least some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain, which patients like Norris Nuvo use cannabis to treat.

The British Liberal Democrats have always been seen as the party for sensible drug policies in Britain but Mr Nuvo lost faith after Lib-Dem MP Tom Brakes unilateral stand against a shop in his constituency, called "Your High", which sells cannabis seeds, a commodity which remains legal in the United Kingdom whilst the cultivation of the same is prohibited.

Mr Nuvo's actions have caused rumblings amongst the British cannabis community, which is going to do the Liberal Democrats on favours at all in the run up to the elections.

In a full & frank confession Mr Nuvo explained to Nick Clegg's office;

"I am a cannabis user who suffers extreme pain through a condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

My consultant has recommended I use cannabis as a pain killer as the opium based pain killers [codiene and Tramadol] both would cause liver damage with long term use and eventually lead to my death.

I grow cannabis as I cannot buy it legally and have no wish to support criminals. At least [currently] I can legally buy my seeds.

Mr Clegg's office replied saying the Liberal Democrats believe in drug policies based on science and not fear, and as such its policy regarding cannabis still stands.

But the Plaid Cymru announcement is bound to create an upsurge of interest from the Welsh cannabis community, the majority of which only break one law in their lives, and that is to grow or consume cannabis.

Cannabis Around the World
Around the world and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America has adopted a formal policy position calling for removal of criminal and civil penalties for seriously ill patients using cannabis with their doctor's recommendation. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the second largest cancer charity in the U.S., and the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services.

Also in America The American College of Physicians, the largest medical specialty organization and the second largest physician group in the United States, recently issued a strong statement urging a fundamental rethinking of U.S. government policy on medical marijuana , stating, "ACP strongly urges protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted by state laws."

ACP's position paper specifically criticized the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, deemed by the government as not having accepted medical uses or safety for use under medical supervision.

"ACP urges review of marijuana's status as a Schedule I controlled substance and reclassification into a more appropriate schedule, given the scientific evidence regarding marijuana's safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions," the statement declared.

"This is a historic statement by one of the world's most respected physician groups, and shows the growing scientific consensus that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine for many patients, including many battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer and AIDS," said former U.S. Surgeon General to President Bill Clinton Dr. Joycelyn Elders .

"Large medical associations move cautiously, and for the American College of Physicians to note 'a clear discord' between scientific opinion and government policy on medical marijuana is a stinging rebuke to our government."

European Cannabis Law
In Europe the use of cannabis has been decriminalised in many countries including Holland, Belgium, Switzerland (votes on full legalisation in November 08), Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic. Poland is due to vote on the legalisation of cannabis shortly.

Meanwhile the United Kingdom looks set to reclassify cannabis to a class B drug sometime in the New Year, and regardless of what medical evidence is available today.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the cannabis of today "lethal" and said he was going to change the law to protect our young people.

But many thought it no more than a clumsy effort to bring the conservative readers of the Daily Mail onside by being seen to be tough on drugs - a plan which has back-fired on Premier Brown as recent polls show the Labour party as far as 40 points behind the Conservatives and with a General Election on the horizon, some people are looking at the reclassification of cannabis as one of the more "unpopular" policies which could be rescinded to appease the 4 million+ British voters who use cannabis regularly.

Clearly this Labour government isn't taking any notice of whats happening in the medical cannabis arena and is striving to take the United Kingdom back to the dark ages of more court cases, higher fines and longer jail sentences.

Former Surgeon General Doctor Joycelyn Elders thinks this is the wrong approach saying "It's time for politicians and bureaucrats to get out of the way of good medicine and solid research."

Are you listening Gordon Brown?

By Red Dragon