In article , phil@stovell.org.uk
(Phil Stovell) wrote:

> *From:* Phil Stovell 
> *Date:* Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:50:04 +0000
> 
> On Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:18:58 +0000, Dr John Watson wrote:
> 
> > While its recommendations are not yet known, ministers are 
> > already making
> > plain that the Home Secretary is prepared to overrule the expert 
> > body if
> > necessary.
> 
> The ACMD threatened to resign en mass if their recommendations were
> ignored the last time they got it wrong (from the Gov's pov). 
> Hopefully,
> if they do recommend class C and are overruled, they will do it.
Excellent. Has it ocurred to you that is what HMG wants? 
> 
> -- 
> Phil Stovell, Hampshire, UK
> 
> 
>

On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:18 +0000 (GMT Standard Time), Claude@aol.com
(Claude) wrote:


>> The ACMD threatened to resign en mass if their recommendations were
>> ignored the last time they got it wrong (from the Gov's pov). 
>> Hopefully,nif they do recommend class C and are overruled, they will do it.

>Excellent. Has it ocurred to you that is what HMG wants? 

It has certainly occurred to me.

And it also must be the first time I have ever agreed with you. It
would be excellent.

If the government does go against the recommendations of the ACMD and
the ACMD resigns in protest, it will blow a gigantic hole in the
governments and the prohibitionist sides credibility. Their talk of
'evidenced based policy' will bring about howls of laughter amongst
those to whom it most matters, that is young people who come into
contact with drugs. All warnings will be regarded as Reefer Madness
scare propaganda, no matter what core of validity they might contain. 

The authorities will be regarded as a joke who cannot be taken
seriously, as they very largely are already.

Svenne