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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Police clear on dealing with cannabis
Richard Balls Eastern Daily Press, Norfolk
Friday 23 Jan 2004 Norfolk's Chief Constable said last night that despite the "confusion that is starting to reign" over the downgrading of cannabis, the guidelines to officers on when to arrest people were clearer than ever. Andy Hayman, drugs spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said it would remain illegal, police would have the power of arrest, and officers in some cases would use their discretion and decide not to arrest someone. "The only difference is that we are giving police guidance about when not to arrest, which is improving the situation and clarifying it," he told the EDP. The raging debate over the down-grading of cannabis was re-ignited when Conservative leader Michael Howard said a Tory government would reverse the decision. His intervention came as a UKP1m Government advertising campaign was launched to remind the public that the drug will be reclassified from Class B to Class C next week. The change, which will place cannabis alongside anabolic steroids and prescription antibiotics, means police will rarely make arrests for possession of small amounts. In an interview with The Independent, Mr Howard said: "After thinking about this very carefully, we have come to the view that the Government's decision is completely misconceived and when we return to office, we will reclassify cannabis back to Class B." The changes introduced a "muddle" which would send a signal to young people that cannabis was legal and safe, when it was not, he said. Police would not have more time to focus on Class A drugs as people found repeatedly with cannabis still faced arrest. But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "Two years ago I said we want a sensible mature debate; we are actually having one now, because at least people are debating the issue sensibly." Mr Blunkett was asked whether he himself ever smoked cannabis. He replied: "No, I never smoked cannabis. But if I had, I would be quite transparent about it because 40-odd per cent of under 30-year-olds have. "I don't want to actually end up chasing them rather than actually chasing the dealers and the people who kill young people with crack and heroin." Mr Hayman refuted Mr Howard's claim that declassification would not allow officers to prioritise Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine and said the new guidance would speed up the procedures under which cannabis offenders were dealt with. When someone was arrested under the current classification, it could take officers two to three hours to process them, but the new classification meant it could be done in as little as 10 or 15 minutes. Asked whether the discretion being given to police officers in relation to cannabis could lead to a disparity in the way people were dealt with, Mr Hayman said: "Pick me any offence you want that is occurring now, be it speeding or any other offence. "You can go to different parts of the country and be treated more robustly than in other areas. "The benefit of these guidelines is that we have more opportunity to get a level playing field." Cathy Howlett, joint commissioning officer for the Drug and Alcohol Action Team in Norfolk, said: "This move will help the police in terms of targeting Class A drugs. "If people do have a problem with cannabis, it is much more appropriate that they are given cautions and are encouraged to attend sessions to talk about these difficulties rather than repeatedly being put through the criminal justice system." --=======F40A79=======--
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