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UK: New cannabis laws spark confusion

Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent

London Evening Standard

Friday 12 Sep 2003

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New police guidelines on how to deal with cannabis users do not set a
"personal use" limit, it emerged today.

The Association of Chief Police Officers issued the new rules before Home
Secretary David Blunkett downgrades cannabis from Class B to Class C early
next year.

But the senior officers did not specify a maximum weight at which cannabis
smokers can claim their stash is for personal use.

The guidelines set out when officers can arrest people caught with the
drug, which will remain illegal.

Possession of cannabis would "ordinarily not be an arrestable offence"
although officers should use their discretion and people smoking it in
public should be arrested.

Those repeatedly found with the drug, or caught with it near places where
there are children, such as schools or youth clubs, should also face arrest.

Mr Blunkett's decision to downgrade cannabis was designed to free police to
target Class A drugs such as heroin and crack.

The rules, published today, are only 600 words long but an additional
document said setting a "personal use" limit would lead to dealers carrying
amounts below the limit.

The Home Office said cannabis would be reclassified on 29 January if
approved by Parliament. Mr Blunkett begins the final stage today when he
introduces a draft order in the Commons.

He said spending on tackling drugs was being increased by £447 million
over the next three years.

Director of drug reform group Transform, Danny Kushlick, said: "We are
beginning to see the formalisation of a totally anomalous policy that
allows possession but not supply.

"The drugs whose prohibition causes the most crime and mayhem are cocaine
and heroin, and it is their supply that most needs to be legally controlled
and regulated by government."

Under-18s found with cannabis will continue to receive a formal warning.

 

 

 

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