|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Scotland: Cannabis reclassified
David Eyre, Political Journalist, Politics Show Scotland BBC Online
Sunday 25 Jan 2004 This week Home Secretary David Blunkett gave the final go ahead for the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B drug to Class C. This does not mean that hash is now legal, but it does mean that the maximum sentence for possession is reduced from five years to two years. Most aspects of criminal justice in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, but drugs laws are different. They are reserved to Westminster so that the law is the same across the UK. But while the law might be the same, there are fears that the way it is applied could be different north and south of the border. In England and Wales, the Association of Chief Police Officer has given guidance to bobbies on the beat. Differing guidance It advises them to use their discretion when coming across someone in possession of cannabis. They can confiscate the drug and issue an informal warning to the user or, if there are aggravating circumstances, like proximity to children or habitual breaches of the law, they can seize the cannabis and charge the person involved. In Scotland, the guidance is different. Chief Constables say that in every case the police should report the matter to the Procurator Fiscal who can then decide whether to take action. The informal route is not an option. Many people are concerned that this is unfair. They want the law to be applied evenly across the UK. This week Amber Henshaw talks to top policemen and doctors to find out what they think and visits a cafe in Edinburgh that could soon be opening its doors to cannabis users. --=======62035C61=======--
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!