The MP who didn't inhale

Just because she went into a coffee shop it doesn't mean she inhaled. That
was the message yesterday from Ann Taylor's office, after it emerged that
the Leader of the Commons had popped in to one of Amsterdam's infamous
establishments where Moroccan black is as readily available as cafe latte.

"People seem to be taking two and two and making five," said a spokeswoman
for Ms Taylor, after details of the visit emerged. "This should not be seen
as an indication that the Government is going to legalise cannabis."

Indeed it shouldn't. The visit to Amsterdam, earlier this week, was part of
a threeday factfinding mission to Holland and France, intended to
familiarise Ms Taylor with the drugs policies of other countries. As chair
of the Cabinet subcommittee on drug misuse, she has travelled far and wide
to gather information.

No details were forthcoming as to which coffee shop proprietor played host
and officials refused to say what was discussed or perhaps handled. "It
was a private visit. The minister simply wanted to familiarise herself with
the issues," said the spokeswoman.

It was a surreal end to a week in which Lord Bingham, the Lord Chief
Justice had expressed support for "detached, objective, independent
consideration of decriminalisation" of soft drugs. And it followed on the
heels of expressions of determination by Jack Straw, the Home Secretary,
that he would never bow to pressure to let up on the fight against drugs.

However, Frank Dobson, the Secretary of State for Health told a television
studio audience on Thursday night that he would consider making cannabis
legal for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, making it available on
prescription on medical grounds.

Next week ministers are expected to announce the name of the person chosen
to be the new "drugs tsar" who will coordinate efforts across Whitehall to
combat drug abuse.

Steve Boggan