Winston Matthews, 55 year old grandfather given 16 month jail term for using cannabis.

Long-term cannabis activist Winston Matthews has been given a 16 month prison term for cultivating cannabis to treat his chronic back pain.Mr. Matthews, a 55 year old grandfather who uses cannabis to manage chronic back pain incurred in an industrial accident 33 years ago, was convicted for both possession and cultivation of cannabis. He uses cannabis due to negative side effects from other treatments. Due to prior convictions for cannabis possession and cultivation, and Mr. Matthews’ refusal to stop medicating with cannabis, Judge Matthews handed down a sixteen month sentence. This is despite draft sentencing guidelines being published last week that seek to recognise the growing scientific consensus on the use of cannabis to control chronic pain.

Winston Matthews is a long-term cannabis campaigner and was a prominent member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, a pressure group to legalise cannabis, standing as a candidate in several local elections. He has produced much art and poetry and was involved in the setting up of several Dutch-style cannabis “coffee shops” in Britain in the early 2000s. Winston Matthews himself stated concerning his case: “the Crown Prosecution Service inferred [because I was growing cannabis outdoors] that I was growing for profit. I need that like a hole in the head – this is the first time this has ever been suggested, and it”s not true. I grow for me!”

A spokesperson for the Re:Vision Drug Policy Network said: “Winston Matthews is a dedicated and cannabis campaigner who has used cannabis to treat his painful condition and harmed no-one. He has stated that he has grown cannabis for his own medicinal use, and for this, he has been sent to a Category B prison with prisoners with convictions for burglary and robbery who will be out sooner than Winston himself. This is many things, but it is not justice.”

A Facebook group in support of Mr. Matthews has already gained over 800 members in the last 24 hours. Cannabis campaigners from all over Britain and abroad have been expressing their support for Mr. Matthews, and dozens have already sent letters and emails to the prison where Mr. Matthews is being held.

The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a national network of young people speaking out to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary. We believe in the control and regulation of all drugs, and the democratic control of communities over the availability of drugs in their areas.

Ends

Editor”s notes

1. Contact  info@revisiondrugs.org
2. Please join the FREE WINSTON MATTHEWS Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/327222800656077/
3. Mail and money can be sent to:Winston Matthews A8167CKHMP High Down PrisonHigh Down LaneSuttonSurrey SM2 5PJ

Though it represents merely a tentative first step toward reform, Re:Vision welcomes the publication of the Home Affairs Select Committee”s report, “Drugs: Breaking the Cycle”.

The Committee collected a substantial variety of evidence over the course of a year which culminated in a global conference. The final report outlines the failings of Britain”s war on drugs, examines pioneering initiatives and policy debates around the world, and calls once again for a Royal Commission on drug policy.

Re:Vision is encouraged by the Committee”s statement on the aims of drugs policy, which appears to emphasise harm reduction over supply elimination:”Drug use can lead to harm in a variety of ways: to the individual who is consuming the drug; to other people who are close to the user; through acquisitive and organised crime, and wider harm to society at large. The drugs trade is the most lucrative form of crime, affecting most countries, if not every country in the world. The principal aim of Government drugs policy should be first and foremost to minimise the damage caused to the victims of drug-related crime, drug users and others.”

Katie Ion of Re:Vision Drug Policy Network said, “The Committee should be commended for their thorough work. However, the report is primarily a call for further review and does not constitute any material change to Britain”s failed ”drug war”. We are disappointed yet unsurprised by the Government”s outright rejection to hold a Royal Commission or to even discuss many of the Committee”s sound recommendations. The time has come for politicians to move on evidence-based policies. We must begin by decriminalising drug use and drug addiction in favour of a harm-reducing public health approach.”

The Committee also contributed forward-thinking recommendations on improving addiction treatment in prisons, decriminalisation and legalisation, the reintegration of drug addicts to the wider community, and holding financial institutions responsible for their role in the global criminal drugs trade. While the report is refreshingly inclusive of many aspects of the complex drug reform debate, the real work has yet to begin.

Britain requires urgent and innovative action to make good on the Committee”s findings. Strong leadership needs to step up and make meaningful changes to our drugs policy, including decriminalisation and legalisation. Re:Vision will therefore seek out and support MPs who are willing to lead the way toward effective, evidence-based drugs laws.

END

Notes to editor

* The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a national network of young people speaking out to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary. The Drug War is fought in the name of youth, so it is essential that we as young people argue for an end to punitive, harmful drug laws.

* Contact us at info@revisondrugs.org

Yesterday, Re:Vision Drug Policy Manchester marked World AIDS Day by holding a stall and giving out flyers.A large proportion of HIV infections worldwide are caused by intravenous drug use and current global drug policies help to perpetuate this, by focusing on punishment rather than health. For example, a survey of drug users in five Russian cities, found 40% did not carry their own injectioan equipment, in part out of fear of attracting police attention. There is a full briefing about World AIDS Day on our website.

Volunteer Sarah McCulloch said, “It”s been a really successful day, we educated a lot of people about HIV and drug users and really raised a lot of awareness of the global situation as well as the local one.”Re:Vision is a network of young people fighting for an end to the drug war. We believe in the control and regulation of all drugs, and the democratic control of communities over the availability of drugs in their areas.For more information, please email sarah.mcculloch@revisiondrugs.org.

Activists from the Re:Vision Drug Policy Network picketed and marched at cities and towns across the country today in support of local strikers. Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a young person-led organisation that campaigns for an effective drug policy based on harm reduction.

The protesters supported the 750,000 strong strike with banners and posters declaring “Don”t cut drug services, pay and pensions. The strike has been called by several unions in disputes over recently announced changes to the public pension system by the coalition government. Over 100,000 teachers could stay at home and force thousands of schools to close for the day.

“Young people will not benefit from the loss of their teachers, not today, but in the future as tougher working conditions and decreased pay and benefits drive many out of the profession” said campaigner Elizabeth Cabeza, who protested in London today. “I”m supporting the strike action today as a young person and as a drug law reformer because if the government cuts education and health services, drug treatment and drug education will be the first to go”.

Sarah McCulloch, protesting today from her hometown of Chelmsford, said, “I went to school here. The government spends £13billion a year on a ineffective, pointless war on drugs. Then it says it can”t afford to support my teachers properly. It”s very important that as drug policy activists we make sure people know these cuts are ideological and that we support the people who are at the thin end of the wedge.”

Addaction reports that funding for some young people”s projects is down by as much as 50%. These projects educate young people about drugs and give them the information they need to resist peer pressure and make informed decisions. Local drug and alcohol treatment services are dependant on funding from local councils, which will not prioritise drug users – Coventry and Warwickshire have already cut their drug user services funding by 25%, even though there is a strong link between heroin use and acquisitive crime.

The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a national network of young people speaking out to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary. We are seeking to empower all young people aged 16-25 to campaign for effective drug policies, control and regulation, and harm reduction methods. The Drug War is fought in the name of youth, so it is essential that we as young people argue for an end to punitive, harmful drug laws.

Ends

Editor”s notes

1. Contact: info@revisiondrugs.org
2. Hi-quality photos of our work are available from our Flickr account here: http://bit.ly/fzDmMa
3. Statistics from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/30/cuts-drugs-and-alcoholhttp://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2010/10/18/coventry-drug-service-cuts-will-send-crime-soaring-warns-mp-92746-27493733/

Activists from the Re:Vision Drug Policy Network marched on the 26th of March as part of as mass demonstration called by the TUC. Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a young person-led organisation that campaigns for an effective drug policy based on harm reduction.

The protesters took part in the 500,000 strong demonstration with a banner that said “Cutting drugs (user services) isn”t cool”. The protest was to raise awareness of the effect that the recent cuts announced by the coalition government will have on drug user services and service provision. The Release helpline, which has provided legal advice and support to drug users for several decades, recently had its government funding removed and faces potential closure.

“With £9million being cut from drug and alcohol services this year, drug users may not be able to get the help they need, which will result in a rise in hospital admissions and drug-related crime” said campaigner Sarah McCulloch. “I”m marching today because the government needs to remember that the cuts are affecting real human beings who are struggling to survive.”

Addaction reports that funding for some young people”s projects is down by as much as 50%. These projects educate young people about drugs and give them the information they need to resist peer pressure and make informed decisions. Local drug and alcohol treatment services are dependant on funding from local councils, which will not prioritise drug users – Coventry and Warwickshire have already cut their drug user services funding by 25%, even though there is a strong link between heroin use and acquisitive crime.

The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a national network of young people speaking out to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary. We are seeking to empower all young people aged 16-25 to campaign for effective drug policies, control and regulation, and harm reduction methods. The Drug War is fought in the name of youth, so it is essential that we as young people argue for an end to punitive, harmful drug laws.

Ends

Editor”s notes

1. Email: info@revisiondrugs.org
2. Hi-quality photos are available from our Flickr account here: http://bit.ly/fzDmMa
3. Statistics from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/30/cuts-drugs-and-alcoholhttp://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2010/10/18/coventry-drug-service-cuts-will-send-crime-soaring-warns-mp-92746-27493733/

Students from the University of Manchester held a flashmob-style protest against racism in the criminal justice system on March 9th. The students are part of the Re:Vision Drug Policy Network, a new organisation that hopes to change the public”s views on drug law.

The protesters held up banners outside Green Heyes Police station in Moss-side and also outside Manchester Crown Court. They handed out leaflets to passers-by explaining that black people suffer institutional discrimination both on the streets and in the docks. Ethnic minorities are more likely to be imprisoned for drug offences than white people, even though it has been shown they have comparable or lower rates of drug use.

“People in the police and judicial systems might not intend to be racist but the overall effect is that people who aren”t white get a raw deal,” said campaigner Andi Sidwell. “This is not what justice looks like.”

The UK”s criminal justice system arrests and imprisons non-white people more than white people, with black people 6 times more likely to be arrested than white people for drug offences and 11 times more likely to be imprisoned. There is no evidence that black people use or deal drugs more than white people. [3]

The Re:Vision Drug Policy Network is a newly formed national network of young people speaking out to create the belief that a drug policy based on the ideas of human welfare and human rights is both possible and necessary. We started up in March 2011 and are based in Manchester. We are seeking to empower all young people aged 16-25 to campaign for effective drug policies, control and regulation, and harm reduction methods. The Drug War is fought in the name of youth, so it is essential that we as young people argue for an end to punitive, harmful drug laws.

Ends

Editor”s notes

1. Hi-quality photos are available from our Flickr account here: http://bit.ly/fzDmMa
2. Statistics come from Alex Stevens” book “Drugs, Crime and Public Health”.