MPs may be forced to discuss the reform of Britain’s drug laws after a petition calling for a Parliamentary debate on the issue collected more than 100,000 signatures
Reform of Britain’s drug laws could be debated in Parliament after a petition backed by Russell Brand and Richard Branson collected more than 100,000 signatures.
The e-petition was led by Green MP Caroline Lucas to urge the Government to review the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 within the next 12 months.
Her campaign was boosted when a number of celebrities, including Sir Richard Branson, Sting, Dame Joan Bakewell and Sir Ian Gilmore, former president of the Royal College of Physicians, backed the call for a rethink over drugs policy.
Brighton Pavilion MP Ms Lucas said that, with the Government is spending £3 billion a year on its drug policy, it was worth ” checking whether Britain’s current approach is value for money or money wasted”.
As the petition has surpassed the required 100,000 signatures, it must now be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee.
By Padraic Flanagan
Read the full story at telegraph.co.uk
