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UK: Arrest warning on cannabis confusion

BBC Online

Friday 03 Oct 2003

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Police have warned teenagers who mistakenly believe cannabis is now legal
that they will still be arrested for using the drug.

Several 16-17-year-olds have been detained recently by North Wales Police
for smoking the drug in public.

Drugs workers say many people, particularly teenagers, are confused about
new police guidelines on cannabis amid plans to downgrade it to a Class C
drug next year.

But as police emphasised that cannabis is still illegal, there were calls
for more clarification.

One drug worker in Wrexham said: "There is a perception that the
declassification of the drug makes it legal."

Guidelines drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers say anyone
under 17 found using cannabis will still be arrested.

But most people caught with the drug are unlikely to be detained. Instead,
the police will give them an informal on-the-spot warning and confiscate
the drug.

"Many people, particularly the younger generation, seem to be under the
false impression that cannabis is now legal and that they can't be arrested
for possession," said Wrexham community beat manager Colin Hughes.

"This is incorrect and we have had to detain several teenagers who have
been caught with the drug, some openly smoking it on the Llwyn Isaf Green
during the last two or three weeks."

"I would like to put an end to any confusion or misunderstanding by making
everyone aware that it is illegal to possess, use or offer to supply
cannabis in any form whatsoever and it will not be tolerated," he added.

Those arrested recently in Wrexham have been given a formal police warning.

Cannabis is still a Class B drug with a maximum five-year sentence for
possession.

But people helping addicts in the town said greater clarity was needed.

Those who smoke the drug in "public view" or in front of children - near
playgrounds, schools and youth clubs - are more likely to be arrested.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said: "It's clearly still an illegal drug and I don't
think it's appropriate to use an illegal drug in a public place."

 

 

 

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