The Green Party has sparked debate with its recent policy proposal advocating for the legalization of certain drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin, for recreational purposes. According to the party’s official stance, these substances can “enhance human relationships.”
In an ambitious move, the party, led by Zack Polanski, envisions establishing a “direct partnership” with South American drug cartels to ensure a “sustainable supply of coca and cocaine” for the UK market. This controversial plan includes introducing cocaine-infused beverages to mainstream retail and permitting the sale of Class A drugs, including ecstasy and psychedelics, at venues like nightclubs and music festivals.
The policy further suggests that children, starting as early as primary school, should receive education on safe drug use through Personal, Social, and Health Education (PHSE) lessons. The aim is to “enhance the safety of all who use drugs,” according to the party’s documents.
Interestingly, this push for drug legalization accompanies a proposal to intensify restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. The Green Party suggests increasing taxes on beer and cigarettes to better “reflect the cost of harm caused by alcohol use on society.”
While the idea of legalizing heroin and crack cocaine is undoubtedly contentious, the Green Party argues that adults should have the freedom to make informed decisions regarding their drug consumption. This policy, as revealed by internal documents seen by the Mail, highlights a bold and polarizing approach to drug legislation.
The internal Green policy, seen by the Mail, states that heroin and crack cocaine should be legalised because ‘adults should be free to make informed decisions about their own drug consumption’.
It adds: ‘The Green Party recognises that in the majority of cases the limited use of drugs for recreational purposes is not harmful and has the potential to enhance human relationships and human creativity.’
Labour last night slammed the proposals and claimed that ‘Zack Polanski’s blueprint for a drug-ridden Britain would turn children’s playgrounds into crack dens’.
Zack Polanksi’s party plan to create a ‘direct partnership’ between the Government and South American drug cartels
Crack cocaine, heroin and the date-rape chemical GHB could all be legalised under the Greens
But the Green leader hit back at the ‘desperate lies from a desperate Labour Party that knows it’s about to lose’ an increasingly fraught by-election in Greater Manchester next week.
While some of the policy makes uncontroversial proposals, including increasing funding for drug treatment centres, it also suggests legalising cocaine, heroin, ketamine, MDMA and even date-rape drug GHB.
And the Greens plan to grant licences for ‘not-for-profit cooperative’ Cannabis Social Clubs and make crack cocaine and methamphetamine ‘available on NHS prescription’.
The document adds that a Green government will ‘introduce direct partnerships between the UK government and coca farming co-operatives in main areas of production, notably parts of South America’ to introduce ‘a sustainable supply of coca and cocaine’ to Britain.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said the policy would ‘unleash a drugs epidemic across Britain that would see our parks and playgrounds turned into crack dens’.
She added: ‘Let’s be clear about what that would mean: lives shattered, anti-social behaviour through the roof, and public drug use running rife. It’s deeply irresponsible to even suggest this.’
It comes as a new poll put Labour on track to finish third in next week’s Gorton and Denton by-election behind the Green Party and Reform UK.
Some 22 per cent in the constituency intend to vote Green on February 26, 20 per cent said they would vote Reform, and 18 per cent plan to vote for Labour, according to the poll of 452 people.
The poll, which was conducted by Omnisis, showed the contest remains on a knife edge, with 27 per cent of respondents saying they were still undecided.
Mr Polanski has welcomed the poll as ‘huge’ but both Labour and Reform have sought to downplay the findings, with one source branding it a ‘dud’ due to the small sample size.
A Green source said the drug policy is different from the party’s manifesto, which is costed, but conceded that it is a ‘long-standing policy and aim’ of the party.
Mr Polanski described Labour’s claims on the policy as ‘desperate lies’ and said the Green Party has a ‘specific manifesto commitment to ‘preventing children accessing drugs’.
He added: ‘If Labour cared about people as much as they did smearing political opponents, they would back Greens’ call for a national commission on drugs to see how we can reduce the harm drugs cause.’
Polanksi has been mocked for a party political broadcast that harnessed 1950s working-class stereotypes in a bid to woo voters in Greater Manchester
Don’t talk down to us! Party leader mocked for ‘working class North broadcast’
Zack Polanski has been mocked for a political broadcast that harnessed 1950s working class stereotypes in a bid to woo voters in Greater Manchester.
The footage depicts the Green Party leader in a pastiche ‘working class’ living room – complete with bakelite radio – in which he says he hopes viewers ‘enjoy Corrie’.
The 43-year-old vegan uses the video to rail against ‘billionaires who own far too many of our politicians’.
The video comes ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election next week, in which the Greens are hoping to pounce on Labour’s unpopularity.
Critics have branded the broadcast ‘patronising’, while former Labour MP Simon Danczuk said: ‘Not having dared venture into the Denton part of the constituency, they’ve recreated a room based on how they think white working class people live.’
A Labour source said: ‘Zack can try to cosplay as a normal person all he likes. Voters will be more interested in his plans to legalise Class A drugs that would devastate communities than whether or not he likes to watch Corrie.’
