The leader of the Lib Dems has called for the legalisation of cannabis

Jo Swinson says there is a ‘double standard’ when it comes to the issue of illegal drugs, as BAME and poorer people are disproportionately criminalised by drug laws, compared to middle class users.

The Lib Dem leader told Metro.co.uk that it was totally unfair for those from poorer and ethnic minority backgrounds as well as young people to be ‘criminalised for something which a very significant chunk of the adult population admits they personally have done’.

She was asked if she recognised how middle class drug users were fuelling the rise in gangs and violence, after admitting she had smoked cannabis in the past.



Ms Swinson said it was something she was aware of and why she was pushing for the ‘legalisation of cannabis’.


She said: ‘It is a total double standard the way that different people are treated, and we at least have the honesty to say we do not think that should be the case, we think our drugs laws are not working as it should, we should legalise cannabis so it can be properly regulated, people know what they are buying and that you can take it out the hands of criminal gangs’.

The MP for East Dunbartonshire also said that government needed to look more deeply into issues around mental health and where there are issues of addiction, ensuring people receive adequate help.

Ms Swinson also says she is confident of winning ‘more seats at the election’ (Picture: w8media/metro.co.uk)

Ms Swinson also said her biggest regret as party leader was not having more time to plan for the general election, as she only became leader a few months ago.

Asked about whether she would change anything about parliamentary processes to make it inclusive of women, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, Ms Swinson said she hoped that the current restoration which parliament was going through, would provide ‘an opportunity for people to try ‘different things, a different shape of the chamber to try different ways of including people’.

She added: ‘I hope it can be properly used to do that, but I’m not certain whether all MPs will agree with that, but I think it’s an opportunity and modernising parliament is an ongoing piece of work, there’s been progress in the last decade or so, but there’s a lot more to do.’

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