Jeremy Corbyn: «I support the legalisation of cannabis for medical use».»

Jeremy Corbyn, current leader of the English Labour Party, announced during a debate on the party's forthcoming internal election that he would decriminalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes, but that he does not support the legalization of recreational drugs.

His observation is simple. Europe and America are major drug consumers today, fuelling what he calls a «deeply unhealthy» narcotics trade.

Speaking at a Labour Party debate in Glasgow, he said he was in favor of decriminalizing the therapeutic uses of cannabis.

«I'd also like us to look at how we can support people who want to get out of the drug trade in other parts of the world, because the horrors of the war on drugs have claimed many victims, particularly in Central America».

He said there had to be «an intelligent approach to this».

The Labour leader went on to say that he didn't take any drugs (not even a little alcohol???), and that he wanted people to be «educated to stay away from them».

His direct opponent in the party leadership, Owen Smith, has never spoken out on the subject of legalizing recreational drugs. During the same event, however, he confided that he thought he had «seen far too many people in his riding who have been hard hit by recreational drug use».

He added: «I know the arguments about taxation and licensed sales and taking drugs out of the underground trade, and I've thought a lot about these things. But I think that for my children and future generations, this is not the right way to go».

CLEAR, a British pro-legalization association not necessarily happy about this support to therapeutic legalization. In her opinion, Mr Corbyn may have an important role to play in his party, but he will never be able to make a difference on a national level. It would be better for the current leaders to speak out on this issue, rather than the opposition, which is bound to be contradicted by the Democratic Party now in charge.

On the other side of the Atlantic, therefore, the subject is a political rather than a public health issue. The major difference with France is that the majority of Britons in favour of legalization and the introduction of a regulated cannabis market.