PledgeBank United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “cannabis-votes”

"I will vote in the next General Election but I will NOT VOTE for any candidate that wants to keep cannabis illegal regardless of their political party or any other policies they have. By signing this pledge I am promising to make legalising/decriminalising cannabis a non-negotiable issue in determining my vote but only if 10 other people will do the same."

— Legalise Cannabis Alliance (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 7^th May 2009
566 people signed up (556 over target)

Country: United Kingdom

More details
On the 7th of May 2008, the UK Labour Government announced that they intend to reclassify cannabis upwards from a class C drug to a class B drug, despite their own independent panel of experts (The ACMD - Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) advising them three times against such a move.

The move for re-classification against expert advice has brought the whole A-B-C drugs classification system into disrepute and the Government can no longer even pretend a drug’s classification reflects it’s risk of harm, nor can they pretend that the prohibition of cannabis is based on any genuine concern for public health. Unprincipled careerists are using the cannabis issue as a political football whilst organised crime profits from a huge untaxed and unregulated illicit market and thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens are criminalised for a victimless 'crime'.

Since The UK's drug polices aren't based on fact or any concern for public health, no amount of evidence that we present showing the current laws to be unworkable, counter-productive, unjust and damaging, will ever persuade our Government to change them.

The Government has decided to reclassify cannabis simply because they thought there were more votes to be gained in marginal constituencies.

We can prove them wrong by refusing to vote for them.

If enough people who support cannabis legalisation pledge to make the issue a non-negotiable red line and refuse to vote for prohibitionist candidates, maybe the Government and other political parties will change their minds.

Please help us achieve our aim by pledging to use your vote but only for candidates that support legalisation.

There are supporters of legalisation in all parties and we don't back any particular party over another, but be aware that only a few candidates will ever go against their own party’s policies. Most politicians will usually toe their party line.

The views of some MP’s can be found here: http://www.ccguide.org.uk/yourmp.php

If your MP is not included, you can ask his views here: http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/ where you can also write to your MP mentioning your pledge at http://www.pledgebank.com/cannabis-votes

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance
http://www.lca-uk.org/

Comments on this pledge

• If anyone signs this pledge, will they remember to carry it out? :D
  
  Anyway, I think cannabis should be sold under license, but it should be illegal to sell it on the streets, etc. Is that your view, or would you allow anyone to buy/sell it?
  Allan Lewis, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I will vote at the next election but as many of you, i wont be voting for those who seek to keep cannabis as an illegal substance yet allow Alcohol, Tobacco and prescription medicines to effect people's lives with severe losses and no threat of review.
  
  Allow shops to sell cannabis as in Holland, fine those found smoking it on the streets and those found to be cultivating mass quantities for sale. Allow 5 mature plants at any one time for those who would wish to grow it for medicinal usage.
  Reduce the stress on the police force and prisons while making money from taxed sales to pay for mental health research and care.
  Chris Long, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Time to let the politicians, know we mean it! To give up my right to vote, after, people gave there life's to get me my vote, I take as very serious.
  
  Legalise Cannabis Now!
  WinstonMatthews, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Ban alcohol, i'll vote for that.
  I wonder how much public money is waisted fighting a war that CAN NOT be won. Cannabis is here to stay, even the blind can see that... Free the weed or allow criminal gangs to prosper - the balls in your cournt MP's - The current age limit for buying dope is £10. Regulate cannabis, that's the only place my votes going.
  Jack Hussein, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Legalised cannabis would enable all the regulations that apply to be put on the sale of cannabis (consumer protection, taxation on profits - hygiene, quality control, weights and measures...) and it is highly likely that the Government would introduce age restrictions on customers, limit citing of outlets etc - plus, we hope, allow people to grow their own.
  Alun Buffry, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• when the three things which are the most damaging to individual health or the fabric of society or both are not only legal but are shoved down our throats at every cross and turn, i mean fags, booze and the telly, of course, a deadly combination to rot your lungs, your liver and your mind. it doesn't surprise me that the one thing showing light at the end of the tunnel is to be kept in the dark
  mikey harps, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• cannabis is a medicine and not a drug http://www.gwpharma.co.uk/sativex.asp
  Paul Smith, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• cannaibis is a drug but lets face it it can be used as a medicine is realy not as bad as some people make out to be. It mellows people out unlike alcohol which makes people loud agressive and uncontrolable. I dont even smoke it but i think the uk should addopt a netherlands style coffee shop system.
  tom, 15 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Legalise Cannabis. It can be regulated and taxed like alcohol. It is easier to get hold of than alcohol for kids, if it is legal it will not be.
  David Pearce, 15 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• It's so hypocritical to criminalise cannabis when, based on the loutish behaviour in our so-called modern society it's ALCOHOL abuse that causes the problems, yet it is legal and easy to buy and consume. How can that be right? I know this from familial experience, I have a brother who's life is is tatters through alcohol. Cannabis is a medicine and healer NOT the scourge the media and authorities would have us believe - I don't know any one who smokes pot, in my social circle, who causes violence! Let's free the weed and the world would be a more social, respectful and loving place!
  Will Clay, 15 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Millions of voters smoke cannabis. Think about it. I'm 63 and I've been thinking about it for more than 40 years, keeping my head down. The time has come to stand up and be counted.
  Tony Wainwright, 12 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• cannabis is a drug when smoked but is safe when eaten this is a known fact and scientists know it and have published this
  paul, 12 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Cannabis has far greater effects when eaten, as opposed to smoking it. Eating cannabis requires very small amounts to achieve the same effect as smoking. For instance 0.5grammes of cannabis smoked has the same effect as 0.1 grams eaten. This is due to the fact that the human digestive system is able to extract and break down far more of the various types of Cannabinoids than our lungs can. In short - cannabis eaten is far stronger than cannabis smoked.
  response to paul, 12 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• it depends on what variety of cannabis you eat hybridized cannabis has a higher potency and is considered dangerous to eat ,non hybridized cannabis has a lower potency and is considered safe to eat
  paul, 12 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Prohibition ruins countless more lives than cannabis has in thousands of years of medicinal, spiritual and recreational use in many different countries and cultures across the world. Cannabis has never killed anyone, it is impossible to overdose on cannabis, it does not cause cancer, cannabis is not physically addictive and does not cause negative social effects like violence and recklessness, these are all things that the three legal drugs caffeine, alcohol and tobacco do. Caffeine containing drinks and alcohol are even advertised regularly and are not seen as or called drugs.
  
  Caffeine is physically addictive (withdrawal causing flu-like symptoms, headaches, lethargy, decreased motivation and low mood), causes insomnia, increases anxiety, nervousness, long term use can cause stomach ulcers and depression and lethal overdose is very possible and it has killed thousands over the years.
  
  But this drug causes increased productivity so the state chooses to ignore the fact that it is infinitely more dangerous than cannabis and even goes so far as to encourage use with coffee breaks.
  
  Prohibition means that cannabis users can be locked up for up to 2 years with (and take the place of) murderers and rapists, for just carrying it. In prison these otherwise completely innocent and harmless cannabis users face the possibility of rape and murder from other prisoners and when they come out are left with the permanent scar of a criminal record. And all this over a plant that has never taken a life.
  
  It is the sensationalist tabloids and the politicians who pander to them who are ruining lives, breaking up families with their gross violation of the human rights of millions of cannabis users across the country, THAT is what is harmful, not cannabis.
  n/a, 12 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• legalise, then just leave it alone...
  Daniel Kay, 11 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• It should be legalised
  kimberley bradbury, 9 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• although i helped labour get in power im not going to vote in the next general election because they have made cannabis class B again. i know a lot of dope smokers who are labour voters that will not be voting labour again for this very reson. I think the goverment have shot them self in the foot over this? its not going to help them the ppl that dont smoke it dont care if its illegal and they will vote just as they would normaly, but there are millions of dope smokers that this will piss off and not vote for them.
  
  labour is dead and will not win the next GE. good bye Mr Brown you foolish man you wil not be missed.
  tony, 9 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Tell people about this, the more people who vote the biger impact it will make
  joey, 9 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Personally, I believe, if people would band together, and look at the law that caused prohibition on marijuana, we'd have a chance in over turning that law. The law, is unjust!! The change from a natural herb, to a first class narcotic, with out any type of science or investigation what-so-ever would be overturned. Not to forget that there wasn't even a vote on the matter before changing it's status
  
  As a Leukemia patient, I'm entitled to be registered through the province in order to have a guaranteed clean, safe and high quality, product.
  
  But, the crap I (and others) have had to wade through is disheartening and stressful to say the least.
  
  Pain and nausea from Leukemia treatments are my immediate reasons to acquire it.
  
  Dealing with bureaucratic bull just adds to the frustrations of having a life threatening illness.
  What a lousy joke on us all!!
  
  Having spent many hours, on this issue, I've learned a great deal! This is why I said in the beginning, attack the law, and the courts will have no choice but to overturn this unjust law.
  
  I could say much more, but find this probably isn't the right place for in-depth information. Should anyone know where I could submit my detailed letter, please feel free to drop me a line.
  Please put Natures RX in the subject line so I find it within the copious email I receive daily. Thanks. :)
  Anne Binkle, 9 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Is'nt It Peculiar That The Netherlands Has The Best Behaved Youngsters In All Of Europe And The U.K Has A Pathetic Record ?
  Also Harm Reduction And Police Co Operation Are The Norm There , Unlike This Country Which Imports Poisonous Cannabis Cut With Powdered Glass And Ground Up Car Tyres.
  The Profits Go On To Fund Organised Crime
  As A Medi User I Am appalled At The 900% Increase In Cocaine Over The Last Three Years, And The Far To Many Stabbings That Such A Drug May Fuel
  Being Almost 50 , I Chose Medicinal Cannabis To Relieve Me Of Pain
  Without It , I Have To Resort To Morphine And Valium
  I Was On A Drug Called VIOXX For Several Years Before It Was Discontinued After Killing Over A Thousand Young Men With Heart Attacks !
  I Chose Cannabis Because I'm Entitled To My Choice
  No Victim , No Crime, Just Someone Watching Government Waste Everyones Time
  JKP
  Peter Timothy Gill, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Cannabis is supposedly banned under the narcotics act, however cannabis is NOT a narcotic! (ask a scientist) its impossible to overdose on cannabis, yet 20 perfectly legal paracetamol will kill you, oh what a crazy world.
  Beverley Wallace, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• There's a saying,
  
  "Liberty is defended with three boxes: The ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box."
  
  If you're ready to move on to the jury box, consider this pledge too,
  http://www.pledgebank.com/willnotconvict
  Will Not Convict, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• As a recreational user of cannabis i believe it is downright criminal that cannabis is not medically availiable, given the evidence to promote such a move is overwhelming..... but then again look at it from a governments point of view..they're thinking about number 1... and who wants to have a workforce that actually questions stuff, and god forbid you tranqualise your workforce lmao... they'd have to do work themselves then...dum dum duuummm..
  Michael Maney, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Don't the brewers & big pharma want it kept illegal? Decriminalistion would be a step towards sanity & saving public money.
  Chris McCabe, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Any PM who routinely crimilises a quarter of his population & ignores the advice of his own medical professionals doesnt deserve to be in power & certainly doesnt deserve any respect. When are they going to wake up & stop living in their little world & try living in the real world for once!
  Dave Hoare, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I agree with the gist of your comments David and I think that it is time for a radical new approach to the whole drugs issue - rather than just tinkering around at the edges. The New Democracy Party has just such a radical policy and I invite you to have a look at it on our website.
  Niall Walshe, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• its funny that our gorenment say's that there is not enought evidence to say if cannabis is safe,, but i say that over 5000 years of known use for all allement known to mankind is just about enought evidents to me. and if that's not enough then l@@k over the pond at america,, they do say it helps and have over 100.000 doctors that say it is safe and is safer then carffine,, yes fooks its safer than your morning coffee, and much less addictive than caffiene,,too boot,
  MR Shaun Steven Whitmarsh, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• legalising cannibas would make the world a better place . if it was legal it could be taxed and regulated which would make it alot harder for young people to get a hold of than it is nowdays . it is a recreational drug which also serves medical purposes and it is hypocritical to criminalise a drug which causes less harm than anything else . lets al get stoned .
  matthew patterson, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I'm fed up of writing out my argument again and again to politicans than care about reason any more so will link to these and say - come with a logical argument against it, a logical argument not being the tired old propaganda the government keeps producing about 'mental health issues' with NO actual research! And fact is, these so called health warnings have done nothing in reduction of the problem. I'm sick of paying criminals for a plant.
  
  Please read these and actually think for once,
  http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/bu...
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/a...
  http://www.tdpf.org.uk/TransformCBApaper...
  
  Wars end, this drugs war has been going on too long and as recent years have demonstrated, more and more taxpayers' money has done nothing, if anything it's increased problems. Now stop calling me a criminal, you're the criminals - maybe if I wear a suit that'll make things ok? All the bankers and MPs get away with infinite expenses, which I get the impression is no longer a crime.
  thom, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• and also - where's the proof that it leads people to harder drugs? I've never touched anything else and don't ever plan to, yet I know where to find cocaine, heroin or crack - the first because of the people the government forces me and many others to go to.
  thom, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• 100% of alcoholics started on milk - ban milk!
  While cannabis smoking carries health risks (eating it is safer), & can aggravate paranoia in a few people, it can also help MS patients & others, calm down stressed or angry people, & these facts don't justify our Gov't's skewed policy of jailing harmless people for possessing or selling a little pot, while violent criminals are on the loose. It just may be that Big Business doesn't want weed freed...
  Chris McCabe, 2 months ago. Abusive? Report it!