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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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We'll ease up on cannabis users
Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Thursday 29 Jan 2004 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.
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