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13/10/2008
Tougher Penalties For Cannabis Offenders Announced
Repeat cannabis offenders are to face tougher penalties under new reforms just announced by Home secretary Jacqui Smith.
People caught carrying the Class C drug for a second time could now face an on-the-spot fine of £80 instead of a warning.
This was announced alongside a Parliamentary Order laid to reclassify the drug to Class B from 26 January 2009.
The Government has accepted the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal for a strengthened and escalating enforcement approach for possession in England and Wales, after links were made to stronger strains of the drug - such as skunk - which now dominate the illegal UK cannabis drug market, to an increase in mental health problems.
Under Penalty Notice for Disorder proposals, which the Ministry of Justice will shortly consult on, those caught with cannabis on a first occasion could still get a cannabis warning, but on a second instance are likely to face a £80 fine and arrest if caught for a third time.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "While cannabis has always been illegal, reclassifying it to a Class B drug reinforces our message to everyone that it is harmful and should not be taken.
"Fewer people are taking cannabis, but it is crucial that this trend continues. I am extremely concerned about the use of stronger strains of cannabis, such as skunk, and the harm they can cause mental health."
The proposed new escalation of penalties will ensure the police and courts have a range of sanctions at their disposal so that the punishment is proportionate to the offence.
The Association of Chief Police Officers' Lead on Drugs and Chief Constable of Humberside Police Tim Hollis said: "There is evidence of increasing harms to community safety associated with criminal behaviour around the cultivation, distribution and the use of cannabis.
"While enforcement alone will not provide the total solution to a crime that is a global problem, this will act as a deterrent, along with better education about the impact of drugs."
(JM)
People caught carrying the Class C drug for a second time could now face an on-the-spot fine of £80 instead of a warning.
This was announced alongside a Parliamentary Order laid to reclassify the drug to Class B from 26 January 2009.
The Government has accepted the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal for a strengthened and escalating enforcement approach for possession in England and Wales, after links were made to stronger strains of the drug - such as skunk - which now dominate the illegal UK cannabis drug market, to an increase in mental health problems.
Under Penalty Notice for Disorder proposals, which the Ministry of Justice will shortly consult on, those caught with cannabis on a first occasion could still get a cannabis warning, but on a second instance are likely to face a £80 fine and arrest if caught for a third time.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "While cannabis has always been illegal, reclassifying it to a Class B drug reinforces our message to everyone that it is harmful and should not be taken.
"Fewer people are taking cannabis, but it is crucial that this trend continues. I am extremely concerned about the use of stronger strains of cannabis, such as skunk, and the harm they can cause mental health."
The proposed new escalation of penalties will ensure the police and courts have a range of sanctions at their disposal so that the punishment is proportionate to the offence.
The Association of Chief Police Officers' Lead on Drugs and Chief Constable of Humberside Police Tim Hollis said: "There is evidence of increasing harms to community safety associated with criminal behaviour around the cultivation, distribution and the use of cannabis.
"While enforcement alone will not provide the total solution to a crime that is a global problem, this will act as a deterrent, along with better education about the impact of drugs."
(JM)
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07 May 2008
'U-Turn' As Cannabis Reclassified To Class B
Cannabis has been reclassified as a Class B drug, it has been announced today. In making her decision The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith went against the advice of The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which wanted to keep it a Class C drug. The council has not been overruled for 30 years.
'U-Turn' As Cannabis Reclassified To Class B
Cannabis has been reclassified as a Class B drug, it has been announced today. In making her decision The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith went against the advice of The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which wanted to keep it a Class C drug. The council has not been overruled for 30 years.
01 May 2008
Brown To Decide On Cannabis Reclassification
The Prime Minister has said that the Government needs to issue a warning to young people of the dangers of using cannabis. Gordon Brown was speaking after he received a report from the the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on cannabis and will now have to decide whether to upgrade the 'weed' from the 'soft' Class C drug to Class B.
Brown To Decide On Cannabis Reclassification
The Prime Minister has said that the Government needs to issue a warning to young people of the dangers of using cannabis. Gordon Brown was speaking after he received a report from the the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on cannabis and will now have to decide whether to upgrade the 'weed' from the 'soft' Class C drug to Class B.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
02 March 2011
Cannabis Use Precedes The Onset Of Psychotic Symptoms In Young People
Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of psychotic symptoms, while continued cannabis use may increase the risk for psychotic disorder in later life, concludes a new study published on bmj.com.
Cannabis Use Precedes The Onset Of Psychotic Symptoms In Young People
Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of psychotic symptoms, while continued cannabis use may increase the risk for psychotic disorder in later life, concludes a new study published on bmj.com.
17 May 2004
Young people 'get the message' on cannabis reclassification
Nearly all young people have got the message that cannabis is illegal, according to a new study published today by the Home Office. Cannabis was reclassified from a class B to a class C drug on January 29, following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to allow the police to focus on the class A drugs which do the most harm.
Young people 'get the message' on cannabis reclassification
Nearly all young people have got the message that cannabis is illegal, according to a new study published today by the Home Office. Cannabis was reclassified from a class B to a class C drug on January 29, following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to allow the police to focus on the class A drugs which do the most harm.
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