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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Camden's top cop: we will arrest cannabis smokers
Matt Eley Hampstead & Highgate Express, London
Friday 23 Jan 2004 Matt Eley looks at the new laws surrounding the use, sale and possession of= =20 cannabis. CANNABIS smokers who light up on the streets of Camden are still likely to= =20 be arrested following the relaxation of drug laws, the boroughs top police= =20 officer has warned. New laws coming into force at midnight next Thursday will see cannabis=20 downgraded from a Class B to Class C drug. But authorities are keen to stress the drug has not been legalised or=20 decriminalised. Chief Superintendent Anthony Brooks, Camdens Borough Commander, said people= =20 smoking weed in public still face arrest, especially in notorious dealing=20 areas such as Camden Town. He said: 'We have done a lot of work around hotspots such as Camden Town=20 and Euston Road and it is the wrong message to send that where we have a=20 cannabis supply problem, we will tend to turn a blind eye to it. 'I don't think there will be much of a change in most parts of Camden. The= =20 message we want to get out to tackle the massive confusion over this issue= =20 is that this is illegal. That hasn't changed at all. People are still likely to face arrest: " If they smoke cannabis in public view " If they offend repeatedly " If there is a local problem linked to cannabis use (such as Camden Town) " If they are caught in possession in premises used by young people, such=20 as a school. Adults caught with small amounts of cannabis are likely to receive a=20 warning and have the drug confiscated but youths face arrest. PC James Day, Camden schools liaison officer, said: 'We have gone to great= =20 lengths to stress that this is not a legalisation. 'The drug is still illegal and, in most practical terms from the police=20 point of view, it will make little difference to how young people are dealt= =20 with. Carole Hawkins, headteacher at Royal School in Hampstead, said the law=20 change would not alter the school's 'zero tolerance on inappropriate=20 substances'. She said: 'We will make sure that children are clear as to where they stand= =20 legally but our school rules will remain the same 'pupils still face=20 suspension or expulsion for drugs. The confusion over the change in law, which downgrades cannabis to Class C= =20 but changes the meaning of a Class C drug, has led to the Home Office=20 launching a =A31 million information campaign to clarify the law. In Camden the Drug Action Team (CDAT) will also work with youngsters to=20 explain the changes. Megan Jones, Camden's Community Safety and Drugs Manager, said: 'Our major= =20 concern is heroin and crack, the use of which really undermines the quality= =20 of life in our community, and that is where our focus is. Cannabis is not a= =20 major issue in the area, except the open dealing at Camden Lock which we=20 are dealing with. 'In many ways the reclassification fits in with what we are already doing=20 on the ground. A spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance added: 'The reclassification= =20 doesn't go far enough for us. 'It fails to address the situation of a person growing a few leaves in a=20 loft or living room. I just can't understand why the government wishes to=20 keep a law on statute allowing them to throw people in jail for medicinal=20 or social use. Residents need the smoke to be cleared WITH dozens of stores selling paraphernalia and tourists visiting Camden=20 Lock regularly running the gauntlet of dealers muttering 'weed'and 'skunk',= =20 you could be forgiven for thinking cannabis was already legal in Camden= Town. The Ham&High polled traders, visitors and residents on changes in the law=20 and asked whether they thought they go far enough. Amsterdam of London is one of many shops on Camden High Street selling=20 bongs, cigarette papers and other smoking implements. Rachad, who works at the shop, told the Ham&High the reclassification of=20 cannabis 'will help business'. He said: 'Everybody smokes cannabis. I get a lot of old people coming in to= =20 buy accessories and papers. 'The police should be worrying about harder drugs. On crack cocaine and=20 heroin people can stab you for =A35, the police have to go heavy on that,= but=20 cannabis is natural, it doesn't do any harm. Alcohol is worse. Dan Alflatt, who works on a market stall, added: 'I know it's going to be=20 downgraded but that's as far as I know. About 95 per cent of kids round=20 here smoke weed. Police should not be wasting time chasing after them. Rob Adamson, 21, who lives in Muswell Hill and regularly visits Camden=20 Town, said: 'I think you can buy it but you can't use it. The law is=20 definitely not clear at all. The government should set it out clearly. He added that laws on magic mushrooms, which can be sold legally as=20 reported in last week's Ham&High, were clearer than cannabis. Tania Hamilton, 22, thought that Class C meant that cannabis was on a par=20 with drugs bought over the counter. 'Some people think it's legal, it=20 should be made clear. There should be leaflets reaching young people and=20 information on the internet,'she said.
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