On the UK Parliament’s website (www.parliament.uk), British people can start a petition regarding anything they seem fit. If the petition hits 100.000 signatures, they UK Parliament must discuss it and take a decision regarding its concern(s).
Mister James Richard Owen, a British citizen, submitted a petition on the website, calling for the decriminalization of the production, use and sale of marijuana in the United Kingdom.
The petition talks about the potential income this action could bring, and also about how it is ‘safer than alcohol’.
Legalising cannabis could bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs.
A substance that is safer than alcohol, and has many uses. It is believed to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, being made illegal in the UK in 1925.
At 10.000 signatures, the Government must only give a response, but at 100.000, there must be a Parliamentary debate regarding it.
Mr. Owen’s petition gathered 168.000 signatures in the first week since it started. He and the other 167.999 signees are now waiting for a response.
In an interview for The Guardian, he stated that the fact that many U.S. states are legalizing it, and also Uruguay, it should mean that it is a potentially harmless and/or useful drug, and that spending money on policing it is useless and wasteful.
Octavian Cătuşanu
Sursa foto: nuggerty.com