Study Group on Cannabis Controls

The file comprises Minutes to the Study Group (on which Paton served until 1974) and correspondence. For the origins of the Group, see: 'Proposed Study Group on Problems of Cannabis Control' (draft, 1973): "The Hallucinogens Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence, 1968 (The Wootton Committee) stated (paragraph 72) that '...It was clear therefore to all of us that the legislation of cannabis would involve difficult and complex problems most of which have not been given much thought even by those who favour legislation. Nevertheless we do not entirely discount the possibility that properly organised research may one day produce information which could justify further consideration of the practical problems of legislation.'" In Paton's response (letter of 8 January, 1983) to the draft memorandum, he argued for consideration of a further option, "that attitudes to cannabis might stiffen in some respects: if the group is really to operate without bias, then I think that must be stated as one theoretical possibility...."

1972-1977

1 file