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UK: Controversial cannabis trial scrapped
Reuters
Thursday 25 Jul 2002 LONDON (Reuters) - A controversial "softly, softly" approach to cannabis possession trialled in south London will come to an end next week, police have announced. The move, which marks the conclusion of a year-long pilot scheme in Lambeth means people caught smoking the drug in public will once again face arrest, a police spokesman said on Thursday. "Where aggravating circumstances apply, officers will be able to exercise discretion over whether to arrest," acting commander of Lambeth police Brian Moore said. The pilot-scheme was launched last year to free police to deal with more serious drug-related crime and has been hailed as a success by officers. Under the trial, people caught with cannabis were given a verbal warning rather than facing an official caution or arrest. However, there have been claims that the scheme has drawn people to Lambeth in order to buy and sell the drug without fear of arrest. The decision to end the trial brings the borough in line with a new national approach to cannabis. Earlier this month, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that cannabis would be reclassified as a low risk in the face of a dramatic rise in its use. Ironically, the new rules mean cannabis smokers in Lambeth, regarded as a "safe haven" during the past year, will face a greater chance of arrest than before the drug was downgraded. While cannabis users will be able to smoke discreet amounts of the drug in private without fear of arrest, those caught openly smoking it in public will be taken into custody. Police in Lambeth said on Thursday they would launch an advertising campaign to ensure the public were aware of the new regulations. It will include leaflets in different languages handed out in public places and posted through letter boxes, and posters displayed in pubs and clubs. "The aim of this campaign is to clearly explain to everyone in Lambeth that cannabis is illegal and will remain illegal," Moore said in a statement.
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