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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis smokers will be let off twice before facing prosecution
Daily Mail Wednesday 07 May 2008 Cannabis smokers will escape prosecution the first two times they are caught under Labour's crackdown on the drug. Despite Gordon Brown's personal promise to toughen the law, they will instead be let off with a warning followed by an on-the-spot fine. On the third offence, they will face prosecution and a possible jail term. The so-called cannabis "escalator" is likely to provoke fury among anti-drug groups, who have been pressing for a strong deterrent. But the Government is expected to say the law will be much stronger, as users currently can receive a string of warnings. Today Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will confirm the reversal of the disastrous downgrading of cannabis to Class C, which took place under Tony Blair in January 2004. She will say that, in the wake of concerns the more potent skunk form of the drug is contributing to mental illness, it will be returned to Class B. Figures from 23 police forces reveal skunk made up only 15 per cent of the market in 2002, just over half in 2004/05 and 81 per cent so far this year. But instead of reinstating the original policy of arrest and prosecution, Miss Smith will instead outline a new sliding scale of punishments. On the first occasion a user is caught they will receive a warning. The second time they will receive an on-the-spot fine. The fines raise an average of £80 each - so could be worth £6million to the authorities, given the 80,000 cannabis smokers caught each year. Crucially neither carries a criminal record. Only when they are caught for a third time will they face prosecution and the possibility of a jail term. Critics are likely to seize on the plan as more evidence of confusion and "soft justice" at the top of Government. Labour has already downgraded theft, criminal damage and drunkenness with the introduction of on-the-spot fines and opponents say this means there is less deterrent to break the law. The regrading of cannabis ends a long-running political saga. The decision has been taken despite advice from the Government's own panel of experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, that it should remain a Class C drug. Last night, a Home Office spokesman said: "Without pre-empting our decision, we are clear in our message that cannabis is an illegal and harmful drug." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
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