Confusion over proposals to reclassify cannabis has led to a crackdown on the problem by police and pub landlords in Nottingham. STEVIE RODEN reports

For years Malcolm Barnes has popped into his local pub for a quiet pint to unwind after a busy day at work. Like a host of others, the

44-year-old father has been visiting the Grey Mare in Clifton for the best part of 20 years. Sometimes he is alone, often he meets friends and on occasions he goes with his wife.

But today he feels that many regulars in the area could be put off visiting their local pub because of the growing culture of people smoking cannabis.

Despite the best efforts of pub landlords and landladies, it is a growing problem in pubs and pub car parks - and Malcolm is not alone in

wanting it to stop.

"It is definitely putting off a lot of the regulars," he said after finishing his shift as a printer in the city. "You can smell it as you

walk past them in the car park when they are smoking it.

"I will continue coming here, but there is only so much you can take. People come to the pub for a pint of beer, they do not want to be

bothered by people smoking cannabis."

The growing menace of cannabis is putting other regulars off their drinks as well.

James Lynch, 75, has been drinking at the Grey Mare since it opened in the 1950s. He said: "The problem is getting worse, but I don't see it in the pubs. It's more in the car parks.

"These youngsters have a pint in here then nip outside, have a smoke and then come back in again. It's not fair on the pub owners but what can the police do about it.?

"It seems the deterrents are not big enough so it will just keep happening. They claim to be confused but I think they know what they are

doing."

Another local resident Eddie, who asked for his real name not to be published, has been drinking in pubs around Clifton for the past few

decades.

The 60-year-old said: "I've seen them lighting up before inside the pubs. It's not on.

"I'm not sure what the law means exactly but I know it is not legal. I just want to come out for a nice quiet pint. The last thing I want is to

have somebody trying to smoke drugs next to me."

While to the youngsters it is just a bit of fun, the problem for landlords continues as the car park is still their premises. They are the ones who the law could come down on heavily.

Julie Hutchinson, the landlady at the Grey Mare, has a strict drugs ban, but says youngsters argue back about cannabis being legal when she asks them to leave her premises.

"If we catch anyone in here trying to smoke the drug we ensure they leave straight away. We do not tolerate that," she said.

"But then they continue in the car park and the more you tell them they are wrong, the more they will argue back.

"There seems to be a lot of confusion about the reclassification of the drug with people thinking it is now legal.

"Well, it isn't and we do not tolerate it. The problem appears to be getting worse but we will work with the police to try to stamp out this

problem."

The police have promised to help them crack down on the problem by:

Arresting persistent offenders.

Embarking on a series of high-profile random pub walk-throughs to deter those offenders who cynically pretend they are confused about the law.

Re-iterating the message recently launched on the back of beer mats and posters in pubs across the county, warning customers that using cannabis is STILL illegal.

Problems have also been experienced in The Fairham with the police handing out posters and beer mats to make sure the message is clear that drugs will not be tolerated.

Licensee Andrew Hutchings has displayed them in his pub and believes it is time people understood it was illegal.

He said: "The problem is serious because it is us who could get in trouble.

"I don't think the original message was put across to the general public in the right way by the Home Office.

"That is why we want to make it clear and along with the police, get the correct message across."

The problem is being put down to confusion over the way the message about declassification was put across in the media. But the police

believe people are also using that as an excuse to light up in public.

Police have already started carrying out high-profile walk-throughs in the pubs in an attempt to deter the problem.

Now Sergeant Norman England is warning people it is still illegal - and says they will clamp down on persistent offenders and arrest those refusing to co-operate.

He said: "There seems to be a lot of confusion since the proposed reclassification of cannabis hit the headlines. People now think it is

fine to walk down the street smoking the drug or doing it in pubs.

"Some of this is legitimate confusion because at times the media makes it sound like it is being made legal. However, some people are just using that as an excuse and it cannot be tolerated. The fact is it is still illegal and those doing it are breaking the law.

"The pubs are working with us to ensure customers are stopped from smoking it but I must warn them that those who persist despite the

warnings will be dealt with by us."

It is illegal to grow, possess and supply the drug cannabis, which is currently a Class B drug despite all the talk about reclassification.

The fines for possession are generally between £20 and £100 and most prison sentences for cannabis possession and small-scale supply are less than a year. It is set to be reclassified in July to a Class C drug which has caused the confusion.

It will still be illegal to possess, grow or supply but in most cases the drug will just be confiscated by the police and only a warning

given.

Police licensing officer John Miley said, since Government plans to reclassify cannabis were announced, there have been some misconceptions and people may now think it is acceptable to light up a joint in pubs and clubs.

He said: "This is certainly not the case. Possessing and using cannabis in licensed premises is illegal now and will continue to be after

reclassification.

"I believe the campaign is working but we need to keep relaying the message that it is illegal. But I believe it will get through."

A spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said he was not shocked by the public's confusion over current cannabis laws.

"Obviously it would be better if it was legalised because then there would be less confusion," said Don Bernard. "What's galling is that

landlords and door staff could be in serious trouble if they allow customers to smoke cannabis on their property, so it is better for all

concerned that the law is made clear.

"It is illegal to be in possession of cannabis and to use it. This will not change if it is reclassified into being a Class C drug. It is up to

the Government, parents, police and teachers to get this message across so that there is no confusion."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We would like to clarify that cannabis is illegal and there are no plans to decriminalise it. The reclassification issue is to illustrate the different levels of harm of different drugs.

"We have done a lot of education work about the dangers of drugs and the dangers they pose. That work will continue."

SIDEBAR:

Would I be okay if I was stopped in the street but the cannabis I had with me was for my own personal use?

No, a criminal offence would have been committed no matter who it was for.

Is it legal for me to smoke the drug whilst in my own home?

No. It is illegal to smoke cannabis anywhere in the UK, whether indoors or outdoors.

If the drug is declassified to a Class C drug, would I be okay to smoke the drug in public?

No, it would still be illegal but the penalties faced would be less severe.

What is the maximum punishment I would face for possessing cannabis?

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 you can be jailed for up to five years and or a fine.

Would this change if cannabis was reclassified to a Class C drug?

Yes, the prison sentence would be a maximum two years for possession.

What about possession with intent to supply?

Drug traffickers could face up to 14 years behind bars.

Can cannabis harm my health?

Yes. As well as the risk of nicotine addiction, the deep inhalation associated with cannabis smoking does effect the lungs and can lead to cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Cannabis use also affects short-term memory, the ability to concentrate and co-ordination, all of which could increase the risk of accidents.