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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cannabis reclassification
Gloucestershire Citizen Wednesday 28 Jan 2004 The move has been welcomed by Tony France, consultant drugs advisor to Gloucestershire County Council's education team - but he describes it as "the worst pieces of policy implementation that I have ever seen". And he warns that many young people will be confused about cannabis's status. Details from the Home Office to be passed to schools had only been received by the LEA last week. That information had now been passed to all schools in the county and, said Mr France, "we as an authority are trying to offer some clarity and are making it more meaningful to young people." Mr France, who has more than 20 years experience, works as a drug advisor to the Local Education Authority and produces policies, guidance and teacher training relating to drug education. The reclassification of cannabis from class B to class C, said Mr France was a logical move which reflected the relative harm caused by cannabis as compared to that of other illegal drugs which sent a more credible message to young people. But the lack of clear information meant the Government had unwittingly given the impression that cannabis was harmless. "There are very high levels of confusion," he said. "A lot of people currently in working schools have reported instances where young people thought that cannabis was decriminalise that's not actually the case. "It is now a matter of getting clear and accessible information directly to young people around the implications and logistics of the changes." The new law will treat teenagers more seriously than adults, with young people now likely to be arrested for possession of cannabis. Mr France welcomed the differentiation between adults and teenagers using drugs, saying that one priority should be to prevent young teenagers from experimenting with cannabis. Drug and alcohol use among young people in Gloucestershire has increased in the last decade although it has remained steady for the last couple of years, and remains in line with national figures on drug use. Around 50% of young people will have tried at least one illegal drug by the time they are 19 and the vast majority have tried cannabis. "The problems with cannabis tend to orientate towards mental health problems. There are physical respiratory problems associated with any smoking. "But when children start to smoke at a very young age they tend to smoke consistently they are significantly increasing their chance of quite serious mental health disorders in their late teens. "It is also important to develop young people's self-awareness and ability to recognise when they have a problem and ought to seek help. "I had a conversation with a young lad who said he always had a smoke when he come to school to 'make school better.' He didn't seem to think that was a problem. "That shows a lack of self-awareness." The law on Cannabis AS from tomorrow (January 29 2004), cannabis will be reclassified from a Class B to a Class C drug across the UK. As a controlled drug, production, supply and possession remains n The maximum penalty for supply, dealing, production (including cultivation) and trafficking will remain at 14 years' imprisonment. n In addition, the maximum penalty for dealing ALL class C substances will increase from five to 14 years' imprisonment. Other class C drugs include GHB and Valium. The maximum penalty for possession will be reduced from five years' to two years' imprisonment. Under new police guidance (applying to England and Wales), there will be a presumption against arrest for adults, but not for young people. For adults - Most offences of cannabis possession will likely result in a warning and confiscation of the drug - unless there are aggravating factors, such as smoking in a public place or repeat offending, which may lead to arrest and prosecution. For young people under 18 - For a first offence of cannabis possession, young people under 18 will be arrested, taken to a police station and given a formal warning or reprimand. Further offences will lead to a final warning or charge. Applying the Law Gloucestershire Constabulary has explained how the change in the law will be applied in the county. Superintendent Nigel Avron, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: "It is important to remember that cannabis is not being made legal; reclassification is something entirely different. "It is still an offence to possess, smoke or deal in the drug. "Our officers will follow the national cannabis enforcement guidance that has been agreed by the Association of Police Officers, which identifies whether or not arrest is necessary, or whether a formal warning and confiscation is the appropriate course of action." The Constabulary's policy on cannabis will change from tommorow (January 29) ,in line with National Enforcement guidance circulated by the Association of Chief Police Officers. This will include the provision of formal warnings in certain instances for simple possession offences by adults. Occasions when arrests will ALWAYS apply include: Smoking cannabis in public view When a person repeatedly offends If there is a local policing problem linked to cannabis use If someone is in possession of cannabis either on or near youth premises, such as schools If users are vulnerable people Anyone aged 17 or under using or possessing cannabis will be arrested Dealing offences will continue to result in arrest How Does It Affect Your Life? The potential risks from people performing activities such as driving while under the influence of cannabis have been largely overlooked by those responsible for drugs policy, according to research published this week. Cannabis has the potential to harm people's physical, social and economic well-being, said a study led by Dr Philip Terry, of the University of Birmingham, which examined its effects on activities ranging from working or driving a car to relationships and having sex. It reveals that among the cannabis users surveyed, 74% had driven while under the influence of the drug. More than 70% of these believed that it had impaired their driving. A quarter of those in the study said they used cannabis before or at work, and just over half of these admitted to some degree of impairment. However, use did not seem to result in more absenteeism, workplace accidents or injuries, or frequent job changes. Cannabis use before and during sex was reported by 87% of the users surveyed, with one in 10 saying this made it less likely they would use a condom. One-third of frequent cannabis users surveyed were willing to drive even when "very high" on cannabis. Dr Terry said: "Much effort by policy-makers has been directed towards identifying potential health problems that might result from cannabis use. "However, the indirect consequences of cannabis use may be just as significant. "Previous studies have failed to examine the extent to which chronic use of cannabis is likely to increase someone's risk of accident or injury, or to have potentially significant adverse effects on their financial or social well-being by affecting their job performance or personal relationships. "Cannabis is the most common illicit drug detected in casualties of driving accidents. It is often consumed in the workplace. And if it makes people more likely to take risks during sex, it may increase their chances of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases, or of unwanted pregnancies." Aria's Views... ARIA (not her real name) is in her 40s and lives in Gloucester. She has been using cannabis for more than 25 years and welcomes the reclassification of the drug. She said: "I have been using cannabis regularly, although not heavily, since I was about 17 and am now in my mid 40s. "I do not believe that I have been a menace to society in the last 25 years or so. "I have had no mental health problems whatsoever and enjoy good health. "I find that cannabis assists creativity, is good for relaxation and stimulates conversation. "Smoking cannabis has not led me to become a heroin addict or forced me to burgle anybody's house to fund my habit and has also never led me into any drunken bouts of hurling abuse at passers-by. "I hold down two jobs and have an active and varied social life. "I would say that cannabis has never caused a problem for me or those around me/ "So why on earth should I be arrested and criminalised for possession of this substance? "I think the Government is making a good move with their latest change in the law. "Cannabis can be harmful under certain circumstances I'm sure, so surely then guidance and information are the best way forward - not the criminalising of people who are otherwise completely law abiding citizens? "I don't believe this is a change of attitude on behalf of the government as regards drugs. "It's purely and simply to free up police time. "Hopefully the change is because the Government has realised that cannabis use is so widespread that it would be ludicrous to try and enforce harsh laws now." Your Views? Have you or your family been affected by cannabis use? We want to hear about your experiences. What do you think of the reclassification? Is it a change for the better or does it send the wrong message to young people? Write to letters@gloscitizen.co.uk or Letters, The Citizen, St John's Lane, Gloucester, GL1 2AY
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