cannabisnews.com: America Has Much To Learn from Britain's Law America Has Much To Learn from Britain's Law Posted by FoM on October 25, 2001 at 21:22:55 PT Editorial Source: Ka Leo O Hawaii The reclassification of marijuana is a bold step that American officials should watch closely. We believe that marijuana belongs in this new category; it is chemically nonaddictive and has little impact on the human body. Its psychotropic effects are short-lived and non-hallucinogenic. Anecdotal evidence suggests that marijuana users are not prone to the same kind of violent and irrational behavior that users of harder drugs, like crack and heroin, are. The major effects of marijuana on the human body come from smoking the substance, and these — lung cancer, emphysema, etc. — are caused by legal cigarettes as well. By reclassifying the substance, Britain can save itself over 100,000 arrests per year — arrests that are costly to both the police force and the legal system. They can also keep distribution of the substance a separate issue, spending their efforts cutting off supplies of the substance rather than trying to round up illegal consumers. We recognize the risk Britain takes with this measure; the prevalence of marijuana in Britain could increase if the police are not effective in squelching the supply. But all in all, we see this as an acceptable risk, because it allows British police to focus on drugs that pose a more significant threat to the health and home of its citizens. This move does represent a shift towards a more common-sense approach to drug enforcement. The British government is essentially rearranging their priorities in the war on drugs and we respect that sort of mentality. We hope that the United States will follow suit. This does not mean that drug policies must be relaxed; law enforcement issues in Britain are different than they are in the United States. But they should definitely consider it as a possibility. To this vein, we should observe the United Kingdom as our "guinea pig," closely watching how the new classification affects their communities, and then deciding whether or not the policy shift could benefit the United States. THE ISSUE: The British government is reclassifying marijuana as a class C drug; possession of small amounts of the drug will not longer be grounds for arrest. The drug, which was formerly a class B drug, will still be illegal, but police are being instructed to issue warnings (instead of incarcerating) those who are found guilty of possessing small amounts of the substance. Marijuana is now classified in Britain at the same level as drugs like steroids and anti-depressants. This marks the first relaxation of drug policy in Britain in 30 years. It comes following a long line of steps in this direction. British officials have said that it is a step in instituting a more practical approach to drug enforcement Complete Title: America Has Much To Learn from Britain's Marijuana Law Related Article: In Britain, No Arrests for Marijuana Possession Marijuana possession will no longer be an arrestable offense in Britain, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced Tuesday. The British government is classifying marijuana as a Class C drug instead of a Class B drug. Class C drugs include steroids and antidepressants. "Cannabis would remain a controlled drug, and using it a criminal offense," said Blunkett. "It would not detract from the simple message that all drugs are harmful and that no one should take drugs." The current laws were out of date with public opinion about marijuana; lowering marijuana's classification would allow police to focus on more serious drugs, Blunkett said. "What we want to do is address people where they are at," Blunkett told the BBC. "The major risk to life, to home, to family and community is from class A drugs like heroin and crack cocaine." As a Class C drug, those arrested for marijuana possession would serve a maximum of two years in prison. British police are authorized to arrest offenders suspected of committing an offense that would warrant a prison sentence of more than five years. The proposed legislation would save the police from making an estimated 100,000 arrests each year in Britain. Though the proposed change means that possession of the drug is still illegal in practice, it is very unlikely that smokers of the drug will be punished for possessing small amounts for personal use. Blunkett stressed that the move is not a legalization of the substance. "I am not either legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis," Blunkett said. "Reclassification would be quite different from decriminalization or legalization. "The easing of the law follows a number of steps that the government has taken in reproaching how the drug is handled. The recommendations of the Home Secretary follow the recommendations of a study conducted last year that urged a change in the laws," he added. Since July, South London police have been directed not to arrest people for small amounts of the drug, and to distributing warnings instead. This way, offenders would not have to report arrests on their job applications. "It is time for an honest and common sense approach focusing effectively on drugs that cause most harm," Blunkett said. This decision marks the first substantive relaxing of British drug laws in 30 years. MARIJUANA PENALTIES IN HAWAII: Possession: up to $25,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, depending on the amount of marijuana in possession Cultivation: up to $25,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, depending on amount of plants found Distribution to minors: up to $25,000 in fines Source: the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -- http://www.norml.org Source: Ka Leo O Hawaii (HI)Author: Alex Kingsbury Published: October 25, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Ka Leo O Hawaii Contact listmaster kaleo.org Website: http://www.kaleo.org/Related Articles:Head To Head: Cannabis Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11185.shtmlCampaigners Applaud Cannabis Reform http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11177.shtmlCannabis Proposal is Widely Welcomed http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11161.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by i420 on October 26, 2001 at 00:27:02 PT Mahalo paka There are some discrepencies here. One the issue of health effects and smoking mj use of vaporizers and the fact it eliminates the toxins was not even mentioned. Also the info on Hawaii's laws should have been more informative this is what was on http://www.norml.org/legal/state_laws1.shtmlHAWAII (C) Please read Preface & Key. Possession: 1 oz.: 0 - 1 year; $2,000 > 2.2. lbs.: 0 - 5 years; $10,000 > 40 lbs.: 0 - 10 years; $25,000 Cultivation: /= 2 oz.: 5 years; $10,000 > 2.2 lbs.: 10 years; $25,000 Sale within 750 feet of a school or within 10 feet of a parked school vehicle: 0 - 5 years; 2nd offense: 2 - 10 years Any marijuana in a vehicle causes all passengers to be charged with possession unless the marijuana is found on the person of an occupant. Distribution to minors: 10 years; $25,000 "Drug Demand Reduction Assessments" are additional fines. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on October 25, 2001 at 22:28:28 PT What a surprise and I am bit ashamed with this writer. Goody good two shoes!It is quite clear that this writer never even set his foot down in England.. As far as I know, British smokers been beggin to get arrest knowing full well it would overburden the system. BLunket had to declassified only after he discovered to his dismay that for quite a while, the law enforcement been giving out informal warnings because they knew smokers would only get away with the system due to this amazing fact, Just Plead Not Guilty! Owner of http://dutchexperience.com got arrested three times and each time jury found him not guilty."guinea pig," ??? Heck, if only would every smokers in each state of United Stupidty of Amerika would just head out to our local police dept. demanding they would arrest each smoker for toking a joint.It is a quite a suprise that Ka Leo O Hawaii is the "first" local newspaper to publish misdisinformation about the declassifying of British code of "Law" on cannabis.dang!ff [ Post Comment ] Post Comment