Guernsey Press

Support Deputy Oliver so she can retain her seat

YOUR Press Opinion on Saturday 13 June is spot on. Home Affairs’ harsh sanction of Deputy Oliver definitely goes too far and neither stands up to scrutiny. What’s the difference in having an opinion either way? For instance Deputy Jeremy Smithies, whose opinion on cannabis is totally opposite to Deputy Oliver’s. He considers that ‘decriminalising stupefying cannabis, which in my opinion, formed by experience and through reading many scientific papers, is the root of much of the violence prevalent in society, is not the proper way forward’. I don’t know which scientific papers he is referring to, but I could quote hundreds with the other side of the coin.

Published

Victoria is quite correct in her view that the public are getting mixed messages in the fact that the Guernsey Police and consequently the courts are still taking a zero tolerance approach to the personal possession of small amounts of cannabis. Many counties now concentrate on dealing with the real criminals concerned with supplying the huge demand for ‘illegal drugs’ and allow possession of a small amount of cannabis, or allow the growing of a few plants for personal use. There are police forces in the UK (Durham) which refuse to prosecute anyone for possession of small quantities of cannabis. I am not talking about any other ‘illegal’ drugs here.

You need a balance of opinions on all States committees to be able to challenge the ‘status quo’. The four other members of Home Affairs want her out, no doubt to be replaced by another ‘yes’ man who is in agreement with their draconian views. I am amazed that Marc Leadbeater is on their side.

It is unfortunate that she chose to comment via social media, which has brought on the current situation, for which she has apologised. I ask all members of the States of Deliberation to use their powers to halt this totally unnecessary debate/witch hunt and support Deputy Oliver to enable her to retain her seat on Home Affairs.

I understand that Home Affairs are presenting their report on the Future of Justice Policy at the next States meeting on 15 July. It is vital that people’s views on the current stance taken against personal possession of cannabis are taken into consideration, with a view to far more tolerance being allowed, to give our police more time to concentrate on issues that really matter in our community.

The island-wide election due in the near future will decide which way we are going with this and many other matters.

JENNY DOWN

Address withheld.