Drugs legalisation debate comes to Bristol Arnolfini
Notorious drugs baron Howard Marks is to go head-to-head with Daily Mail journalist Peter Hitchens at the Arnolfini tonight, in a debate about drugs policy.
In front of a 200-strong audience the pair will discuss drugs protocol from two conflicting perspectives, with Marks arguing for the legalisation of recreational drugs, and Hitchens maintaining all drugs are dangerous and the ‘war’ against them has failed.
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Daily Mail journalist Peter Hitchens will argue all drugs are dangerous at the Arnolfini tonight
The event, held as part of the Bristol Festival of Ideas, will see the duo debate drug policy and its effectiveness, and what should happen in the future.
Marks has campaigned for the legalisation of recreational drugs since being released from Terre Haute Penitentiary, Indiana, one of America's most infamous prisons, in April 1995. Described by the Daily Mail as “the most sophisticated drugs baron of all time”, Marks served seven years of a 25-year sentence for drug dealing.
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In an interview with Urban75 in 2001, Marks said the prohibition of cannabis for recreational, medical and industrial use “contravenes Human Rights”.
He said: “The whole idea that you can't take a naturally occurring substance I just don't understand. I really don't.
"Society would be safer if cannabis was legalised. Not so many people would go to prison, not so many kids would get expelled from schools, kids would not be alienated from their parents, and people wouldn't be fired for smoking the drug.
"Quality would also be better. There would be far less impurities, which would make it safer."
Meanwhile journalist, author and broadcaster Hitchens maintains the ‘war on drugs’ has never been a serious one. In his latest book, The War We Never Fought, he argues there has been no 'war’ in earnest since 1971, when a Tory government adopted a Labour plan to implement the Wootton report.
“The special legal status of cannabis as a supposedly 'soft' drug (in fact, Hitchens argues, the threat it poses to mental health makes it at least as dangerous as heroin and cocaine) began a progressive reduction of penalties for possession, effectively disarming the police,” the book description reads.
In a recent interview with the Guardian Hitchens said he doesn't believe in addiction, while earlier this year he told a committee of MPs he would like to see the government introduce a more hard-line policy on drugs.
Tonight’s debate is part of the Bristol Festival of Ideas, a year-long celebration of theories and concepts. Throughout the year 1,000-plus events are held across the city – from a lecture by food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to a discussion about what’s next for Britain’s economy.
Tonight Marks and Hitchens will each have a 10 minute slot in which to put forward their case, before the floor is opened to questions and feedback from the audience.
The debate will be chaired by Festival of Ideas director Andrew Kelly. Speaking to This is Bristol, Mr Kelly said: “It’s quite interesting because Peter and Howard know each other well and they do respect each other.
“Both sides have really committed views. Peter does not think drugs should be legalised or decriminalised, and Howard does. So I think there’s going to be no meeting of minds on that. That’s good for the audience because it gives them a lot of choices.”
Mr Kelly said he expected the debate would centre on two key issues – firstly, the decriminalisation and legalisation of drugs, which are “quite different things”, and secondly the research that exists into whether drugs lead to illnesses among users.
“There will be a lot of comments from the audience – we will devote at least 40 minutes to that,” said Mr Kelly.
Tickets for the debate have sold out, but people can sign up to a waiting list and buy tickets in the event any already purchased are returned.
The event will be recorded and the audio uploaded to the festival website in a few days, Mr Kelly said.
To find out more, click here.
Comments
by nogbutt
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:20PM
“newspaper columnists are only there to fill the gap in between pantomimes, from one xmas to the other. you can imagine them shouting (a la stephen fry in blackadder) "facts don't win arguments; shouting does. shout, shout, and shout some-more."
i suppose that these rags sell many more copies than the journal of medicinal biology (or whatever), and no doubt mr hitchens has wildly improved his bank balance with his clowning, but how anyone who isn't stoned could make those quotes up is beyond me.”
by vrwrtuy
Monday, October 29 2012, 7:58PM
“I expect there will be a lot more supporters in favour of Marks than Hitchens because people wanting to get a rule changed are more fervent than those that are supporting the status quo. I hope they don't heckle Mr Hitchens because that will weaken their arguement. But I bet they do becuase unreasonable people don't change their spots”
by Gazzabristol
Monday, October 29 2012, 6:21PM
“Some of the people here remind me of the character Begbie from Trainspotting....
An alcoholic nicotine abusing violent psychopath who lectures the others on their drug use.”
by formulafreddy
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:44PM
“@arealbristol: 'Take a walk down to Bristol drugs project and see that damage that drugs can do.'
Take a walk through A&E department on a Saturday night to see what damage alcohol can do.
Yes, some people get addicted and damaged by drugs. Alcohol is one of those drugs. There are also a lot of less dangerous drugs that are currently banned and a lot of other people who can use them sensibly.”
by Raverbaby-1
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:18PM
“i cant believe this is actually written by a grown man....Peter Hitchens..you must be riddled with ignorance if the quote below is reflective of your honest opinion...
"in fact, Hitchens argues, the threat it poses to mental health makes it at least as dangerous as heroin and cocaine"
that arguement Mr Hitchens is nothing short of an uneducated, ill-informed, arrogant waste if words. in my opinion you have highlighted your lack of knowledge on the subject and pretty much invalidated anything else you have to say, not to mention the coming across as someone who thinks a little to highly of their own opinion that they dont even choose to question the logic of it. if you choose to make such comments tonight i imagine you will get laughed all the way home.
cannabis use has increased 10-20 fold over the past 40yrs with the drug getting more and more potent...why in this period have we not seen a reflective increase in psychosis or schizophrenia??? could it quite simply be that all the allegations about the drug are unfounded lies??”
by corncups
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:11PM
“Was it Christopher, or his brother Peter Hitchens that was famously described as a drink-soaked, former Trotskyite poppin-jay?”
by arealbristol
Monday, October 29 2012, 1:21PM
“Well done Morrissey - bring it down to a popularity contest.
Take a walk down to Bristol drugs project and see that damage that drugs can do.”
by Morrissey9
Monday, October 29 2012, 12:23PM
“Agree or disagree with his views, but Howard Marks is much more eminently likeable as a person than the sour-faced Peter Hitchens. I think Howard has this debate in the bag, the audience will love him.”