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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Ads warn cannabis 'still illegal'
David Batty The Guardian
Thursday 22 Jan 2004 A UKP1m advertising campaign to educate the public about the reclassification of cannabis was launched today by the government, amid calls that it has not done enough to correct the growing belief that the drug will be legalised and poses no health risk. The campaign, which consists of newpaper and radio adverts, plus leaflets for schools and universities, states that cannabis will be downgraded from a class B to a class C drug from January 29, but warns that the drug is harmful and remains illegal. The information, which is also provided on the government's drugs advice website, Frank, sets out the penalties that will be faced by those who use and supply cannabis. In most cases, police will not arrest adults for possessing small amounts of the drug but are likely to issue a warning and confiscate the drug. Officers will be able to arrest those who smoke it in "aggravated circumstances," such as outside schools. Those repeatedly found in possession of the drug will be arrested and prosecuted. The maximum jail term for possession will fall from five years to two. But penalties for adults supplying cannabis will stay the same, with a maximum of 14 years in prison. Under 18s found in possession of the drug will be arrested. If it is their first offence, they will be taken to the police station and given a warning or a reprimand. Repeat offenders will either receive a final warning or, more likely, be charged. Those given a warning will be referred to the local youth offending team. Home Office drugs minister, Caroline Flint, said: "Cannabis is harmful and will remain illegal after January 29, when it is reclassified to class C. That is the simple message driving the government's new information campaign launched today. "By reclassifying cannabis we are being honest to young people about the harm cannabis can cause in comparison to drugs such as crack and heroin. This is an open and effective way to tackle the problems associated with class A drug use, which government medical advisors have recommended. "The radio ads and leaflets have been months in the making. They have been fully researched and tested with young people to make sure the message is both effective and credible to our target audience. We are beginning the drive a week before reclassification to make sure it has its greatest impact. "It is particularly important that we get the message across to young people that cannabis remains illegal and that under 18s will still be arrested for possession." The radio adverts will be played on 48 national and regional commercial radio stations in England. One million copies of the leaflets Cannabis and the Law and 1.5m copies of Drugs and the Law will be distributed across the country. The British Medical Association has welcomed the advertising campaign but yesterday expressed concern that some may think that the downgrading of cannabis meant it was a safe drug. The reclassification of cannabis follows advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which ruled that the drug was less harmful than other class B drugs, such as amphetamines. Its aim is to enable the police and drug treatment services to focus on class A drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, which cause the greatest harm to users, their families and communities. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) is also running a campaign to ensure all police officers are aware of the changes in the law. Andy Hayman, chairman of the Acpo drugs sub-committee and chief constable of Norfolk constabulary, said: "The reclassification of cannabis will enable police officers to focus more time and resources on class A drugs which cause most harm to communities."
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