UK: Region's cannabis shame is exposed

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Jonathan Walker

Birmingham Post

Saturday 14 Feb 2004

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More people were cautioned or convicted for possession of class B drugs by
West Midlands Police than by any other force except the Met.

Police figures covered a period when cannabis was still classified as class
B and the drug is likely to account for most of the offences. Amphetamines
are also included in this category.

Cannabis was downgraded last month to a class C drug. However it remains
illegal and possession can lead to up to two years imprisonment.
Distributing the drug can result in a 14-year sentence.

The Home Office figures show that 4,012 cases of possession of a class B
drug were dealt with by West Midlands Police in 2002. Of these, 2,218
people were cautioned and 1,794 convicted.

Greater Manchester Police, a force of comparable size, dealt with 2,853
people. This included 1,608 cautions and 1,245 convictions.

The figures were revealed by Home Office Minister Caroline Flint, in
response to questioning by a Conservative backbencher.

But the number of cases dealt with by police could fall dramatically
following last month's changes.

As well as re-classifying the drug, Home Secretary David Blunkett issued
police with new guidelines on how to deal with users.

The key change is that there will be a "presumption against arrest" when
officers come across someone with cannabis in their possession.

West Midlands Police has warned that first-time offences of possession are
still likely to lead to an instant caution and confiscation of the drugs,
and officers retain the power to arrest users at their discretion.

Offenders are likely to be arrested for smoking cannabis in a public place,
where public order is threatened, or when in the vicinity of premises used
by children.

And any repeat offender who has already received two warnings will be arrested.

Police will also arrest anyone in possession of the drug under the age of
17, so that they are bought to a police station.

Chief Superintendent Bob Baxter said: "Reclassification will help us and
our partners to focus on class A drugs that cause the most harm."

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