Cannabis comments were personal says Chief

Fri, 23 May 2014

Allan Bell MHK

Comments made by the Chief Minister about whether or not the Island should decriminalise cannabis use were personal and not a political view.

That's according to Allan Bell who says his musings were an honest expression of his long-held views and did not signal a change in government policy.

He suggested he thought drug use should be treated more as a health issue as opposed to a criminal matter and didn't rule out the possibility of establishing cannabis cafes.

It followed a visit by Professor David Nutt who said he believed the Isle of Man could lead the way in relaxing the criminalisation of drug use.

Mr Bell says he stands by the fact a fresh debate on the matter is needed as the Island could never change in isolation.