Sky News Unplugged  is doing drugs this week.

Chris Baldwin from the Legalise Cannabis Alliance will be in the studio, hot foot from a mass lobby at Downing Street.

Campaigner Pinky Starr has started his own one-man campaign to have the drug legalised for medical users.

Plus Dan Butcher, a former coke addict who now runs the Recovery Network, a member of the Libertarian Party who want all drugs laws scrapped and  John Ryan, a comedian who uses stand-up to get across health campaigns.

Join Martin Stanford and guests HERE or on Sky News Active at 1 pm Wednesday and afterwards on demand.  Watch last week's show here.

Comments

[tony, london 29 Jun 2008 20:26:48]

Yes, we most assuredly do have a pathetic position on drugs. It was epitomsed as recently as last night by Whitehouse who looked on TV to be under the kind of influence that you don't get from eating your greens and taking exercise.

So the press idolise her and the great unwashed think that it's normal if it's on TV.

Thank you so much to Mr Bliar and the arch hyprocrit/owner of a defective moral compass, non other than our very own Greedy Gordon. We live the legacy of corruption, apologistic self denial and fraudulent lending that 10 years of New Sleaze has delivered.

[Lynchy 26 Jun 2008 20:55:16]

weed is a plant, something that grows naturally, how can you make that illegal?

[Joel London 26 Jun 2008 03:09:07]

without 'dumbing down the debate one just has to take a trip to amsterdam to see that the effects of cannabis has nothing to do with crime rate and violence. Compared with the streets of Britain on a weekend night Amsterdam is a haven for peace and tranquility and I am refering to the red light district

[Sworruba 25 Jun 2008 16:25:02]

I watched the debate online today and thought it was excellent and that there were many valid points from all sides EXCEPT from that arrogant, cheap mouthed John Ryan, a comedian who supposedly uses stand-up to get across health campaigns. I'm surprised he could even stand up himself he's so overweight!!!What the hell was he doing there anyway?

[norrisnuvo 25 Jun 2008 14:04:52]

Cannabis has been used by human beings for thousands of years, as a food, a medicine, as clothing and as a fuel. It is prohibited to safeguard the profits of oil companies, clothing industry, tobacco and alcohol industries, and drug companies. Cannabis oil could solve our fuel problems in the future while not detracting from food production. It can supply us with a range of analgesics which are safer and cheaper to produce. The reason for prohibition is PROFIT!

[Jamal Elkarib from Brentwood 25 Jun 2008 13:18:15]

Nothing wrong with cannabis, compare it to alcohol and cigarette and you wonder why? I personally think the world will be a better place if we all smoked cannabis.

[Sworruba 25 Jun 2008 13:05:38]

DON'T PANIC...IT'S ORGANIC...LEGALISE MARIHUANA NOW!

[Charlotte, Aberdeen 25 Jun 2008 12:55:19]

I am not advocating the use of cannibus, however, I am aware that users of cannibus have more control over their actions than a person on Alcohol, plus I dont think I have ever heard of Cannibus poisoning etc, but have heard and read plenty of articles / news reports etc on people who drink alcohol being hospitalised due to over consumption, leading to alcohol poisoning, accidents because they are no longer able to control themselves leading to injuries that take up hospital and nurse / doctors time, inability to defend themselves leading to attacks and possible rapes etc that may otherwise not have happened if they were in control of themselves. I would agree to the banning of alcohol (dont all go mad read the statistics) and to the legalisation of something which the government could tax like cigarettes and alcohol, and control the THC content (in regard to grass etc) making it more safer for people to consume. I have to say I know people who smoke and I would much rather sit in their company than in the company of loud, obnoxious drunks who have no control over their slobbering, balance etc.

[clara, midlands, uk 25 Jun 2008 12:49:44]

Cannabis in our society has been around for thousands of years and is part of our culture, just like the monarchy. In fact it is well documented that Queen Victoria used cannabis to ease menstrual pain and discomfort.
Thousands of people in the UK use cannabis to ease symptoms of illnesses such as; arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, aids, dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and depression.

The experts on the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs recommended recently that there was no need for cannabis to be reclassified. The public has however been misinformed and lied to by this Government and the British media, leading to potential reclassification of cannabis to the more serious Class B, alongside much more harmful substances such as amphetamines.

The laws against cannabis are being mis-applied, leading to Human Rights violation. This means that the law is causing more harm than good and is punishing those very people it is designed to protect.
The police invade people’s homes on a daily basis across the UK for the sole purpose of stopping possession or small scale cultivation of cannabis for personal use. These are often sick people using cannabis for medical reasons.

This interference with the Private Lives of individuals, without reason of protection of public health, public order, national security or the Rights of others, constitutes an offence under Human Rights law.
The police seem to target otherwise law-abiding cannabis users in order to meet government targets.

[clara, midlands, uk 25 Jun 2008 12:47:40]

The science is out there, all you have to do is find it. The world is changing. Times are getting harder and we will have to adapt to survive. If you are dubious about this issue, and I’m sure you have good reason, then listen to what these people have to say. This rally is for the ill, terminally ill, disabled, unabled, for anyone who knows that cannabis IS a medicine. If we allow people to shut their ears and close their eyes on this issue, millions will continue to suffer.
It is more than likely that some who read this message, myself included, will become ill at some point in their lives, and the medicinal properties of cannabis can be used to help alleviate or cure you. If the remainder of your life or the ones you love depended on medicating with cannabis would you still plead ignorance?
I’m not asking much from this message, just listen; every story has more than one side. Listen to what these people have to say, we need the support in anyway and from anywhere we can find it.

[clara, midlands, uk 25 Jun 2008 12:46:07]

Today is Wednesday 25th June 2008, in London today thousands of people are gathering to rally for medicinal cannabis. From 11am to 7pm people from across the country are marching together to show their support. The BBC and Sky News will be covering the event throughout the day.
This rally is for people who suffer from ailments and illnesses, that are not so uncommon, and that cannabis has scientifically proven to reduce, treat and even cure. This issue is beyond mere personal ideology, this issue is about people’s lives. Their health, wellbeing and dignity are at stake.
If you can’t make it down to London today, watch the news. Lend your support. Even if it’s a phone call or text or email to the news studio. You don’t even have to do that, circulate this email to everyone you know, make a passing comment to a friend, colleague, family member or complete stranger about what’s happening in London today. The more people getting involved in this issue the more we can be open about it, the more the scientific evidence can be heard.
The science is out there, all you have to do is find it. The world is changing. Times are getting harder and we will have to adapt to survive. If you are dubious about this issue, and I’m sure you have good reason, then listen to what these people have to say. This rally is for the ill, terminally ill, disabled, unabled, for anyone who knows that cannabis IS a medicine. If we allow people to shut their ears and close their eyes on this issue, millions will continue to suffer.
It is more than likely that some who read this message, myself included, will become ill at some point in their lives, and the medicinal properties of cannabis can be used to help alleviate or cure you. If the remainder of your life or the ones you love depended on medicating with cannabis would you still plead ignorance?
I’m not asking much from this message, just listen; every story has more than one side. Listen to what these people have to say, we need the support in anyway and from anywhere we can find it.

[Wayne, London 25 Jun 2008 12:35:07]

4 years ago, i would've said yes to the legalisation of cannabis, but no way now.

As a heavy HEAVY smoker in my uni days, I felt it was one of the best things alive, until an unfortunate incident left me passed out and convulsing on the floor, not thinking straight, terrible memory loss, and to top it all, it left me with a syndrome called Depersonalisation which still haunts me to this day. I 100% believe it was cannabis that did this to me, and now, with over 4 years clean I will never go back to that or any drug. I totally believe it will also lead to long-term psychosis (something I never believed when I used the drug back then).

However, I do feel that those over 23 should not be punished for small uses, however those under that age should be made WELL AWARE of the damage it could cause.

rant over...

[smith. Newcastle 25 Jun 2008 12:27:57]

makin pot illegal was like saying god made a mistake. its not a refined product like heroine etc. u simply pick it off n smoke it, eat it or woteva. the only reason its illegal is becuase they cant find a way to efficiently tax it. theyrd be too many people growin it themselves and the government wudnt make the money. i only think cannabis shud be legalised nothing else. i feel all other drugs are dangerous and should remain categorized as they are.

[Dr Chronic 25 Jun 2008 11:22:56]

How hypercritical of this government to approve a dangerous sliming drug (Acomplia) which is banned in the USA and yet they deny sick people the choice to take there own herbal medications ! And then turn them into criminals, continue to pump them with government backed Chemicals with side affect far worst than the condition itself

I suggest we Give sick people with MS /aids /Cancer and other life threatening illness a licence to purchase herbal marijuana to help them cope with there terrible illness and I support Pinky with his campaign 100%

Grow and be Free

[Paul. London 25 Jun 2008 10:38:55]

- "Don't do drugs, drugs are bad"

[Dr Anon 25 Jun 2008 09:38:18]

I smoke cannabis, I don't smoke tobacco. I have smoked cannabis since I was 15, I am now 33. I am a biologist, an expert in plants and soil if you will. I have studied for many years, stoned everyday, to a point where I now have a PhD from a Russel group university.

I would like nothing better than to be able to breed and grow cannabis for a legal market in the UK.

Why is it that in Europe today the Spainish, the Portugese, the Dutch, Belgians, Austrians and the Swiss are all permitted to smoke and in some cases produce cannabis without fear of procecution? Yet in the UK a country where it is estimated that 10% of the country smoke cannabis (for perspective 4% follow Islam as a religion in the UK) it is still a crime punishable by upto 5 years in prison and one that a corrupt prime minister and aides seem to want to demonise futher. A government that incidentally licences the production of vast fields of Opium poppies in Hampshire.

I think I may well start learning Spanish or French. Canada also has a more realistic legislation when it comes to cannabis.

[Khalid 24 Jun 2008 22:44:31]

[The Verve] of some people who say [The Drugs Dont Work]