UK Lords Make January 29th J Day

Britain's House of Lords formally approved legislation downgrading cannabis from Class B to Class C this week, meaning users should no longer face arrest from next year (January 29).

Though the minor change means police will still have discretionary powers to bust people if they wish, the reform is a highly significant step, marking Britain's first real step away from America's puritanical prohibition style approach. Canada's next Prime Minister Paul Martin is also expected to continue his country's progress towards embracing more pragmatic drug laws, according to the New York Times, maintaining Canada's new found tolerance embraced by outgoing PM Jean Chretien.

"I don't think a kid of 17 years old who has a joint should have a criminal record," Monsieur Chretien told the Times this week.
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