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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Pilot cannabis scheme could be extended nationwide
Ananova
Friday 14 Jun 2002 Police chiefs are drawing up plans to extend the Lambeth experiment on cannabis to other parts of the country. The London borough is piloting a "softly softly" approach to cannabis possession. The move would see several forces in England and Wales warn, rather than arrest, many people caught with small amounts of the drug. The Independent says the nationwide pilot schemes are being drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan Police, and will be similar to the Lambeth project. But the paper says concerns that too many people were being let off without punishment in Lambeth would mean police would continue prosecuting certain groups of cannabis users, including young teenagers, motorists and disorderly people. An Acpo spokesman said: "Acpo and the Met are looking at ways to build on the Lambeth experiment with a view to set up pilots in a number of forces across the country." The paper reports the Home Office and police are also expected to use the media and advertising to emphasise that cannabis remains an illegal drug and dealers face imprisonment. The campaign is being launched in response to reports from Lambeth that many schoolchildren believe cannabis has been legalised. Kate Hoey, the Labour MP for Lambeth and a former Home Office minister, attacked the scheme. She said: "It has attracted more drug dealers to the area and children are now being offered skunk cannabis (a strong form of the drug) and residents are being continually harassed by dealers. "There is no reason why one part of London should be picked on for this experiment, particularly such a poor, deprived area."
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