Britain should talk about legalising drugs, says Colombia president

Britain was urged today to have a major debate on the legalising of drugs like marijuana and even cocaine.

Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos wants a global rethink of drug laws to end the 'violent profit' that comes from drug trafficking.

Mr Santos, whose country produces around 80 percent of the world market in cocaine and is the third-largest grower of marijuana, believes only a co-ordinated worldwide debate can solve the problem.

He said:' If that means legalising, and the world thinks that's the solution, I will welcome it. I'm not against it.'

Mr Santos identified the U.S., Britain and Europe as the highest consumers of illegal drugs and were vital in leading the discussions for an overhaul of the laws. 

But he told the Observer: 'What I won't do is become the vanguard of the movement because then I will be crucified.

'But I would gladly participate in those discussions because we are the country that's still suffering most historically.'

Mr Santos is the highest-profile politician in office to openly back a debate on reforms.

He is quoted as saying: 'I would never legalise very hard drugs like morphine or heroin because they are suicidal drugs.

'I might consider legalising cocaine if there is a world consensus, because it has affected us most here in Colombia.

'I don't know what is more harmful, cocaine or marijuana. 

That's a health discussion. 

But again, only if there is a consensus.

Mr Santos described how cocaine production is destroying many countries in South America by causing deforestation.

His call comes before a high-profile drugs policy reform event this week at the House of Lords.

An all-party initiative chaired by Baroness Meacher, and the Beckley Foundation, will issue an open letter signed by leading international politicians, campaigners, economists and musicians calling for a new approach to tackling the issue.

Among the signatories are former presidents of Columbia and Brazil, six Nobel Prize winners, the former Labour Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, former US Secretary of State, George Schulz, Sting, Richard Branson and Yoko Ono.

The event will explore whether reforms of drug laws in countries such as Portugal could offer a credible model for the UK and other countries.

 It will also hear independent evidence that the legalisation and taxation of cannabis in the UK would bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to the exchequer.