WE’LL EASE UP ON CANNABIS USERS
Source: Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Pub Date: 29 January 2004
WE’LL EASE UP ON CANNABIS USERS
POLICE OUTLINE SOFTER NEW POLICY ON DRUG
Police in Northamptonshire say discretion will be used when dealing with
people caught with cannabis once the drug is downgraded.
The county force hinted at the softer approach while continuing its
policy on dealing with cannabis after it was today officially reclassified from
a Class B to a Class C drug.
Officers have warned rug users that police will still have the power to
arrest people found in possession of the drug, but say officers will lean
toward a policy of seizing the cannabis and warning offenders.
Assistant Chief Constable Derek Talbot said: “We have always made targeting
dealers of Class A drugs our priority.
“In that respect we will continue to use our discretion when dealing with
people found in possession of small amounts of cannabis deemed for personal
use.
“However, people should be warned that officers still retain their power
of arrest where there are aggravating circumstances, such as repeated
possession of cannabis, smoking of cannabis in public view or possession of
cannabis near to young people.”
The move received a guarded welcome from those pushing for the full
legalisation of cannabis in the county.
Northamptonshire representative for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance,
Michael Mullaney, said: “The reclassification is positive in as much as police
are less likely to arrest individuals.
“But it does not go far enough.
Police can still arrest people for possession. This organisation is pushing for licensed outlets where the drug
would be subject to quality controls.”
The decision to reclassify cannabis was announced by the Government in September
last year.