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Police resist tougher action on cannabis

Police will not toughen their approach to cannabis when ministers upgrade the legal status of the drug to class B, it has been disclosed.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has confirmed that the current policy of “confiscate and warn” will continue, despite Gordon Brown’s wish to send out a “tough message” on cannabis use.

However, chief constables are debating whether fixed penalties could be used alongside the warning as a new tool to deter users.

The news has led campaigners to question the relevance of returning the drug to class B, after four years of class C status.

Former government drugs advisor Roger Howard said: “There will be no new powers or resources for policing if cannabis is made a class B and warnings can still be issued instead of an arrest.”

The Prime Minister is widely expected to reclassify the drug soon, despite a recent review by his own advisors which concluded that cannabis should remain a class C substance.

A spokesman for Acpo said: “The key will be the discretion for officers to strike the right balance.

“We do not want to criminalise young people who are experimenting.”

However, it was stressed that cases which involved “aggravating factors” were likely to result in arrest and prosecution.

The move back to class B will mean that the maximum prison sentence for cannabis possession will be increased from two years to five.

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Just as a little side note, the police in scotland have never really changed there approach to personal use and posession of small amounts, at least thats what I read a wee while ago.

it's a pity that gordon brown the prick hasn't got the common sense that the police seem to have.....at least they seem to realise that cannabis is not a major problem.......police chiefs should lock brown up with a stoner for a week ...then lock him up with a crack fiend for a week....i think he'd see a not so subtle difference.....i've spoken to cops on the beat and most say the same thing...they'd rather deal with stoners as they rarely cause problems,whereas drunks(legal) are more unpredictable and are more likely to be violent