Think-tank to look again at Drugs Act

CRIMINAL lawyers have welcomed the appointment of a police think-tank which will investigate whether or not certain controlled drugs should be decriminalised.

The Police Foundation's committee of inquiry, which will examine the effectiveness of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, is due to meet for the first time on 30 September, and reports back in two years' time.

Barrister Rudi Fortson, a drugs law specialist based at 3 Gray's Inn Square, and Leonard Murray, former senior partner of Levy & McRae and now consultant to the Glasgow firm, will sit on the panel.

According to Murray, it is time the legislation was examined as "a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since the last Act".