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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: London police to chill out over cannabis
Mary Anna Wright The Independent
Friday 15 Jun 2001 Police in South London are to pilot a controversial new scheme which will relax their attitude to cannabis possession. The scheme is being piloted in Brixton and is hoped to enable the police to target their resources to fight dangerous drugs like crack cocaine. Scotland Yard says officers will issue an on-the-spot warning and confiscate the drugs, but the matter will go no further. This new approach would take only ten minutes of a constable's time instead of the 10 hours it would take if the person was arrested and formally cautioned. The new move has been welcomed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens who describes it as "an innovative step": "We are not turning a blind eye to crime but we have to prioritise. Possession and use of cannabis is not a priority." Tony Taylor of Tony's Hemp Corner in King's Cross added: "This is the first step in a long process, but only addresses recreational use. Cannabis is an invaluable medical tool providing well documented relief to many patients suffering from diseases that have been deemed incurable by the health profession. To confiscate cannabis under those circumstances would be immoral" Scotland Yard's decision is likely to meet with disapproval from politicians. All the main political parties are determined not to be seen as "soft on drugs" and are adamant that cannabis should not be decriminalised. Last year, Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe called for a zero tolerance policy on cannabis with fines for anyone caught with the drug. The Tories were forced to backtrack on the idea after seven leading members of the party admitted to having smoked, and inhaled, the drug.
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