Notes and Comments

More calls for the legalising of cannabis

THE pressure on the Government to decriminalise the possession of cannabis, and also to legalise its use, is increasing. Labour MP Paul Flynn is gathering support for a 10-minute rule Bill calling for cannabis to be legalised for an experimental period of four years.

One argument for legalisation is that the drug is helpful in relieving certain kinds of illness. However, the Christian Research Institute (CRI), in its submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology and its Sub-Committee Enquiry into Cannabis, has stated, “We agree with the recent BMA report which concludes that ‘cannabis is unsuitable for medical use’. We argue that the scientific support for its medical use is wholly inadequate. There are many anecdotal claims that cannabis provides relief from certain kinds of suffering, but a recommendation either to reschedule or to grant legal exemption for medical use cannot be justified on the basis of science.”

The CRI submission also states that “there is a crucial distinction to be made between cannabis and cannabinoids. The BMA report calls for the focus of future research to be on cannabinoids rather than cannabis.” The CRI goes on: “The BMA states that the evidence for the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is ‘meagre’. This is the primary reason as to why there are difficulties in carrying out research: drug companies are understandably reluctant to fund work on such a slender evidence base. Even the established uses of cannabinoids are undertaken only when other treatments have failed.”

Another comment from the CRI is worth pondering: “Is ‘medical marijuana’ a front for legalisation? This is a question that has been asked by the Committee during its public hearings. We have no doubt that there are sincere people advocating cannabis use for medical purposes whose only concern is to alleviate suffering. We also have no doubt that the efforts of these sincere people are being cynically deployed by other groups seeking legalisation. These groups are well aware of the propaganda value of gaining ground in the ‘medical marijuana’ debate.”

There are several other plausible arguments for the use of cannabis which have been successfully employed in softening public opinion, but we would do well to keep in mind the harmful effects of the drug as well as the incontrovertible fact that its use leads to the use of deadly drugs.

Sabbath ferries to Lewis

WESTERN Isles councillor, Donald John MacSween, who wants a ferry to be run on Sabbath between Lewis and the mainland, believes he has local public opinion on his side. “The people are now leading the politicians,” he said. “So, let’s move forward. Let’s do it in a calm, rational way. Let’s get a ferry docking. Let’s get a plane service, and there’ll be no more about it.”

There will indeed be more about it. “There is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:28), “and by Him actions are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3). Breaking the Fourth Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy . . .” is sin as surely as is breaking the Eighth Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.”

He also said that a referendum “will determine . . . whether it’s the settled wish of the people to have a ferry coming into Stornoway on Sunday or not.” Since when, we ask, did the settled wish of the people supercede the Word of God? God’s law can never give way to man’s will.

Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – May 2000