News In Focus
26 February 2007
QC calls for cannabis legalisation
Leading criminal defence QC Donald Findlay has called for the legalisation of cannabis, saying that this will give police forces and medical authorities better control of the substance.
Talking about the subject in a radio interview with MSP Tommy Sheridan, Mr Findlay said he did not believe the current system of dealing with the drug was working, and that it harmed the country's economy.
By legalising, he said, he meant a legal structure akin to what exists for the sale of alcohol, and not a "free-for-all".
Speaking about his legal work over the years, Mr Findlay said the biggest change had been the increase in drug use. He said he had never tried cannabis himself, but a more radical approach was needed to tackling the problems drugs caused, and more resources were needed to help get people off drugs.