PUK Interviews
Monday 6 August 2012
PoliticsUK interviews Peter Reynolds of CLEAR
Politics UK
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20 November 2011 at 19:51
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*****Q&A Session with the Leader of CLEAR, Peter Reynolds.*******
Q&A Session with the Leader of CLEAR, Peter Reynolds.
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Politics UK
Could users use the above thread to ask questions.
The Q&A start promptly at 2000hrs.
*The word in the blog are not that of Peter Reynolds.
20 November 2011 at 19:53
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Politics UK
PoliticsUK would like to welcome Peter Reynolds, Leader of CLEAR.
Peter, Why is CLEAR a registered political party?
20 November 2011 at 20:00
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Peter Reynolds
Good evening.
20 November 2011 at 20:01
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Peter Reynolds
Let's hope the spelling improves!
20 November 2011 at 20:01
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Peter Reynolds
Why is CLEAR a registered political party? The important answer is because that's what the membership voted for.
20 November 2011 at 20:02
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Politics UK
What has been achieved to date that could not have been if CLEAR were simply a pressure group similar to NORML?
20 November 2011 at 20:03
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Peter Reynolds
I think being a registered party gives us credibility. It puts us in the game so we're not just shouting from the sidelines. The by-election in Feltham will present the first real opportunity to test the idea
20 November 2011 at 20:03
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Peter Reynolds
I have seen the practical benefits on the street and on the phone. You can "insist" to be taken seriously. Police officers and council apparatchiks on the street have backed down in the face of "officially registered political party"
20 November 2011 at 20:03
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Politics UK
Do you think cannabis law reform is a national or an international issue? Can we see real reform in Britain without the co-operation and mutual agreement of other national powers?
20 November 2011 at 20:04
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Peter Reynolds
Britain and France are now pretty much isolated in Europe. Look at, just this week, Switzerland says grow four plants each, Copenhagen says complete legalisation next year. Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia...
20 November 2011 at 20:04
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Peter Reynolds
If our government had the courage and examined the issue rationally they are easily able to moderate current policy
20 November 2011 at 20:05
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Politics UK
How likely is there to be a debate in parliament and how much of an impact do you think it will bring?
20 November 2011 at 20:06
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Peter Reynolds
The UN Single Convention is about trafficking. Britain takes a very hard line view. It is entitled under the convention to look at individual acts much more liberally
20 November 2011 at 20:07
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Peter Reynolds
There will be a debate in Parliament but it is merely a shop window for what is agreed behind closed doors
20 November 2011 at 20:08
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Peter Reynolds
Grant, unfortunately he can!
20 November 2011 at 20:09
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Peter Reynolds
He is playing a game. When he judges it is time he is quite ready to do anything that keeps him in power
20 November 2011 at 20:10
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Politics UK
Will users please use the other thread for additional questions please.
20 November 2011 at 20:10
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Peter Reynolds
The media is the main factor
20 November 2011 at 20:11
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Peter Reynolds
Cameron lives in a bubble, as do his advisors
20 November 2011 at 20:11
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Peter Reynolds
They think what they read in the newspapers is what the public think
20 November 2011 at 20:12
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Peter Reynolds
Then the newspapers reinforce that
20 November 2011 at 20:12
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Peter Reynolds
I think the British government's main concern is the press. I think that is the most important factor in their policy. There is also a substantial prohibition industry which doesn't want its wings clipped.
20 November 2011 at 20:12
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Politics UK
Why can't governments make up their mind about whether to legalise cannabis or not? The last government downgraded, upgraded which proved to me that they are undecided about this issue. What do you think is the most convincing argument for legalising Cannabis?
20 November 2011 at 20:13
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Peter Reynolds
It has nothing at all to do with health issues, that you can be certain of.
20 November 2011 at 20:13
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Peter Reynolds
It is driven by the Daily Mail. I know that may seem a very specific accusation but I really believe it is the truth
20 November 2011 at 20:15
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Peter Reynolds
Gordon Brown's "skunk is lethal" speech was a direct trade with Paul Dacre of the Daily Mail
20 November 2011 at 20:16
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Peter Reynolds
There is huge pressure from the US and the DEA which have a massive prohibition infrastructure
20 November 2011 at 20:17
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Politics UK
How much revenue do you believe legalising cannabis would generate?
20 November 2011 at 20:18
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Peter Reynolds
The IDMU report we commissioned earlier this year shows...
20 November 2011 at 20:19
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Peter Reynolds
A net benefit of between £3.4 and £9.5 billion per year
20 November 2011 at 20:19
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Peter Reynolds
That's income minus expenses!
20 November 2011 at 20:20
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Peter Reynolds
Massive new job creation
20 November 2011 at 20:20
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Peter Reynolds
Massive crime reduction
20 November 2011 at 20:20
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Peter Reynolds
All the data is here:
http://clear-uk.org/
tax-regulate/
A CLEAR Plan For The Regulation Of Cannabis In Britain | CLEAR
clear-uk.org
CLEAR has published a report from the Independent Drug Monitoring Unit (IDMU)
...
See more
20 November 2011 at 20:23
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Politics UK
What are the foreign policy implications of legalising cannabis?What would be the pros and cons if Britain legalises?
20 November 2011 at 20:27
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Peter Reynolds
If Britain was to take an initiative it would be seen as a brave and intelligent move. I don't see that happening though.
20 November 2011 at 20:28
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Peter Reynolds
The US prohibition industry would be against it
20 November 2011 at 20:29
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Peter Reynolds
US policy is on a knife edge.
20 November 2011 at 20:29
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Peter Reynolds
Obama has to decide which way to go for 2012. He needs the younger vote.
20 November 2011 at 20:29
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Peter Reynolds
Everything could change, just like that. Then DC would be saying he told us so all the time
20 November 2011 at 20:30
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Politics UK
We will have a 5 min break.
20 November 2011 at 20:33
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Politics UK
You say that you want to represent the interests of all UK cannabis users but you then propose charging a license fee for people to grow plants at home, what would you propose be done about people that grow without a license? Fine, prison, community service - for an offence that does no harm to others, as at the moment.
20 November 2011 at 20:43
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Peter Reynolds
I don't understand how the first part of the question relates to the second?
20 November 2011 at 20:44
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Peter Reynolds
Of course I aim to represent the interests of all cannabis users.
20 November 2011 at 20:44
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Peter Reynolds
CLEAR does that by proposing a policy in order to achieve change
20 November 2011 at 20:45
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Peter Reynolds
I too would prefer there were no restrictions on my freedoms but taking that attitude doesn't move the argument on, does it?
20 November 2011 at 20:47
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Peter Reynolds
The CLEAR Plan for Regulation is a proposal for discussion. My view would be that growing cannabis without a licence might be treated like a TV licence issue, a civil offence. The point is to develop a system which society as a whole is happy with and can work..
20 November 2011 at 20:49
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Peter Reynolds
I agree that it is mostly a victimless crime. Mostly if there is a victim, it is of prohibition, not cannabis
20 November 2011 at 20:50
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Politics UK
If the UK were to legalise, would it be possible to attempt to divert most of the created jobs to the north of the country. the city of Sheffield was once known for its steel production, why not have a city/area of the country known for its cannabis production??
20 November 2011 at 20:51
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Peter Reynolds
I'm not sure that I'd agree with that sort of market engineering but Sheffield would seem an excellent place to start. Perhaps we could invite the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Alan Goldsack, to join us in this initiative?
20 November 2011 at 20:53
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Peter Reynolds
The valleys of South Wales are the green, green grass of my home and they deserve an appellation controllee designation in my view.
20 November 2011 at 20:55
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Peter Reynolds
The people of Sheffield are under attack:
http://clear-uk.org/
sheffield-campaign/
Sheffield Campaign | CLEAR
clear-uk.org
As many of you are no doubt aware there has been a particularly vicious and indi
...
See more
20 November 2011 at 20:56
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Peter Reynolds
http://clear-uk.org/
ipcc-complaint-acting-detec
tive-chief-inspector-bob-c
hapman-of-south-yorkshire-
police/
IPCC Complaint - Acting Detective Chief Inspector Bob Chapman of South Yorkshire Police | CLEAR
clear-uk.org
It is improper for a police officer to engage in politics, scaremongering, the promotion of false science and propaganda.
20 November 2011 at 20:57
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Politics UK
Who would be responsible for oversight of the cannabis industry?
20 November 2011 at 20:58
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Peter Reynolds
In the CLEAR plan as linked above we propose a cannabis inspectorate with more than 2000 staff, local licensing, testing and analysis facilities, all easily affordable under a tax and regulate scheme.
20 November 2011 at 21:01
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Politics UK
According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 Cannabis cigarettes a day are associated with the same evidence of acute and chronic bronchitis and the same degree of damage to the bronchial mucosa as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day. Is it appropriate to legalise a drug which can be so dangerous?
20 November 2011 at 21:04
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Peter Reynolds
The BLF is well known for its anti-cannabis stance. To be fair, smoking anything is not an ideal method of ingestion
20 November 2011 at 21:05
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Politics UK
By characterizing the use of illegal drugs as quasi-legal, state-sanctioned, Saturday afternoon fun, is it possible that the social norm will change and the use of other illegal drugs will rise?
20 November 2011 at 21:07
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Peter Reynolds
The best evidence on this is Dr Donald Tashkin, who carried out the largest study of its type in 2006. Mr Google will find it for you. He concluded that cannabis provides a protective effect against tobacco and that those who smoke neat cannabis develop fewer cancers and less COPD than those who don't smoke at all.
20 November 2011 at 21:08
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Politics UK
By legalising cannabis, the state is implying that it is socially acceptable. How would you stop youngsters from taking cannabis?
20 November 2011 at 21:09
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Peter Reynolds
The evidence is that regulating drug production and supply reduces use. Holland has one of the highest "age at first use" in Europe. I think the "forbidden fruit" factor is significant
20 November 2011 at 21:11
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Politics UK
What is your response to the claims that cannabis is a gateway drug?
20 November 2011 at 21:12
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Peter Reynolds
You will never stop youngsters taking cannabis. By regulating, labelling, controlling you minimise harms
20 November 2011 at 21:12
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Politics UK
Legalisation of marijuana could eventually lead to the legalisation of harder drugs and where do you stand on this?
20 November 2011 at 21:13
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Peter Reynolds
All heroin users have used cannabis. All cannabis users have used tobacco. All tobacco users have used caffeine. All caffeine users have used milk. It's a meaningless argument. The main danger is buying unregulated products in a criminal market
20 November 2011 at 21:15
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Peter Reynolds
The more dangerous and harmful a drug is the more important that its supply should be properly regulated
20 November 2011 at 21:17
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Politics UK
Question: Can you tell us the benefits of Medicinal Cannabis?
20 November 2011 at 21:18
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Peter Reynolds
Those who have a habit should be able to obtain controlled, clean supplies together with help to tackle their addiction
20 November 2011 at 21:18
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Peter Reynolds
Cannabis is as close to a panacea as possible. Only discovered in 1988, we now know that the endocannabinoid system is fundamental to all aspects of life. Endocannabinoid deficiency is now being postulated as the fundamental cause of cance
rs, MS, fibromyalgia and many other conditions. The only natural source of cannabinoids outside the body is the cannabis plant. No wonder that 100 years ago more than half of all medicines in the British pharmacopeia contained cannabis.
20 November 2011 at 21:21
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Politics UK
Final Question: Where do you see CLEAR, and the state of cannabis reform, in the next 5 years?
20 November 2011 at 21:24
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Peter Reynolds
I believe we will have medicinal use before then
20 November 2011 at 21:27
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Peter Reynolds
I would say it is 60/40 in favour that we will have a fully regulated system
20 November 2011 at 21:28
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Politics UK
We would like to thank Peter Reynolds of CLEAR for answering the PUK questions. He is now willing to answer any further questions from contributors for the next ten minutes.
20 November 2011 at 21:33
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Politics UK
Jason Short:
how likely is there to be a debate in parliment and how much of an impact do u think it will bring
20 November 2011 at 21:38
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Peter Reynolds
I answered that: There will be a debate in Parliament but it is merely a shop window for what is agreed behind closed doors
20 November 2011 at 21:39
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Politics UK
Hex Austen
How many cannabis users are there in the UK?
20 November 2011 at 21:43
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Mal Mcburney
Is pushing for research into the the cancer curing abilities of the plant the way to force government to re-think cannabis policies?
20 November 2011 at 21:44
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Peter Reynolds
There are 2.8 million regular (at least once per month) users in UK
20 November 2011 at 21:47
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Peter Reynolds
See IDMU report linked above for full details
20 November 2011 at 21:47
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Peter Reynolds
Mal, no I don't think so. It is not a rational policy. It is political considerations that will cause change.
20 November 2011 at 21:48
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Politics UK
Thank you Peter.
THIS SESSION IS NOW CLOSED.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
20 November 2011 at 21:50
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Politics UK
https://www.facebook.com/
ClearUK
Cannabis Law Reform - Clear
1. To end the prohibition of cannabis. Prohibition is a big, dumb, and very ex
...
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20 November 2011 at 21:50
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