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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: New cannabis law targets teenagers in two-tier scheme
Richard Ford and David Charter The Times
Friday 23 Jan 2004 TEENAGERS younger than 18 will still be arrested by police if caught using cannabis, while adults will escape with a warning and confiscation of the drug. The two-tier system for dealing with people caught with small amounts of the drug for personal use will come into force next Thursday, when penalties for possession are relaxed. As details of the dual system emerged, the Commons committee that endorsed reclassification pledged to rethink its decision later this year. Coverage in The Times of recent research that shows a stronger link between cannabis and schizophrenia than first thought was discussed at a private meeting last week of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. Janet Dean, Labour MP for Burton, said: 'The committee decided in principle it would revisit the issue once the Government's new policy had time to take effect. A fellow committee member, Gwyn Prosser, Labour MP for Dover, added: 'I would not be against revisiting it in the light of further evidence coming out. David Cameron, a Conservative deputy chairman and MP for Witney, is also a former member of the committee who voted against a Conservative amendment in favour of keeping cannabis a Class B drug. He has now changed his mind. As a member of the Conservative front bench, I am clearly supporting the party's front bench position,' he said. The two-tier system of treating under-18s differently from adults threatens to create difficulties for officers on the beat who will have to distinguish between those who are under and over 18 years old. The Home Office launched a UKP1 million radio and newspaper campaign yesterday to explain to parents and young people the new law on the use and possession of cannabis. Caroline Flint, the Drugs Minister, said: 'We are being honest to young people about the harm cannabis can cause in comparison with drugs such as crack and heroin. Under the new regulations governing cannabis, most adults caught in possession of the drug will be given an on-the-spot warning and have the substance confiscated. They face being arrested if they are caught smoking cannabis in a public place or are repeat offenders. But a person under 18 caught with the drug will be arrested and taken to the police station before being given a formal warning or reprimand. Further offences will lead to the young person being charged with possession of cannabis with the risk of spending up to two years in prison. Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, admitted yesterday that one week before the change in the law many of his officers were unsure about what it would mean in practice. Sir John said that guidance was being issued to officers so that they could be clear how to deal with people found in possession on the streets of London. Officers throughout the capital will be provided with wallet-sized cards to remind them of the change, particularly where there should not be a presumption to arrest a person found in possession. Police officers in London will welcome the change, especially if it saves time. Constable Mark Atkins of Hackney said: 'Going back to the station to process an arrest can be a drain on your time as you never know what is going to happen and how long things are going to take. 'The change definitely gives us more discretion. Andy Hayman, drugs spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, gave full support to the change despite Michael Howards pledge to reverse it. 'It cannot be right that cannabis is in the same classification as barbiturates, Class B. The overriding view is that it should be in Class C. He added: 'We are formalising what has been going on informally. --=======435B1BDF=======--
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