cannabisnews.com: 'Three Spliffs and You're Out' Proposal 'Three Spliffs and You're Out' Proposal Posted by CN Staff on September 03, 2002 at 20:16:34 PT By Nick Hopkins, Crime Correspondent Source: Guardian Unlimited Cannabis users caught by the police more than twice in a 12 month period will be arrested rather than cautioned under "three spliffs and you're out" guidelines being considered by chief officers, it emerged yesterday. Instead of repeatedly issuing formal warnings to people caught with small amounts of the drug, officers may be given the discretion to arrest and charge them. People caught once or twice with cannabis for personal use will be allowed to hand over the drug and go on their way after a formal warning. However, a third offence in the space of one year would mean arrest and more serious charges under the guidelines, which would be introduced by July next year. Ignoring cautions would be regarded as an one of the "aggravating factors" that would give police the option of treating the offence more seriously. The decision by the home secretary, David Blunkett, to reclassify cannabis from class B to class C next year will strip police of the automatic power of arrest for simple possession of the drug. But Mr Blunkett has said he will introduce legislation that will allow police to continue to exercise the power in certain limited circumstances. Among such provisions are the cannabis user's being under the age of 17, or the drug being smoked near a school. Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth is expected to reiterate many of these pledges and highlight the vital role of police at the Association of Chief Police Officers conference today. Andy Hayman, a deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, is currently drawing up guidelines for officers to explain when the "aggravating factors" apply. Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlNewshawk: puff_tuffSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Author: Nick Hopkins, Crime CorrespondentPublished: Wednesday, September 4, 2002Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles:Blunkett's Cannabis Strategy 'Flawed' http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13957.shtmlCannabis Users Facing Caution Instead of Arrest http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13940.shtmlPot Users Relax with New Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13410.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 04, 2002 at 09:08:48 PT TroutMask! Looky Here! Legalize Pot, Senate Committee Says http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13979.shtml Senate Committee Recommends Legal Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13978.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 09:00:23 PT Don't know I don't know, FoM. I was listening for a minute or two, but all I heard was in French and I don't have the leisure to keep playing it. I'm sure they cap the number of connections. Given the "Recommendations", this is sure to be big news. I believe this will be the straw to break the camel's back in Canada.-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 04, 2002 at 08:48:44 PT TroutMask I keep trying the audio link and nothing comes up. I wonder why? http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/webcast-e.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 08:43:46 PT Okay, this is it for now... Another good one:Recommendation 11 The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada instruct the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to inform the appropriate United Nations authorities that Canada is requesting an amendment to the conventions and treaties governing illegal drugs; and that the development of a Drugs and Dependency Monitoring Agency for the Americas be supported by the Government of Canada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 08:42:23 PT Senate recommnedations Yahoo!Recommendation 6 The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create a criminal exemption scheme. This legislation should stipulate the conditions for obtaining licences as well as for producing and selling cannabis; criminal penalties for illegal trafficking and export; and the preservation of criminal penalties for all activities falling outside the scope of the exemption scheme.Recommendation 7 The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada declare amnesty for any person convicted of possession of cannabis under current or past legislation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 08:14:20 PT The real thing Okay, here it is for real. Release date September 2002:http://www.parl.gc.ca/Common/Committee_SenRecentReps.asp?Language=E&Parl=37&Ses=1-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 04, 2002 at 06:55:59 PT TroutMask I got anxious yesterday too and posted what I thought was happening right then but I was wrong and I removed my posts. Here is the link to listen to the audio. This should be starting real soon in an hour or so I hope.http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/webcast-e.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 06:52:26 PT Wait a minute I may be getting ahead of myself here. It looks like the date on that last link is 1998...Sorry, getting nervous waiting. But I don't remember seeing all those reports on that page before...I'll shut up now ;-)-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 06:48:35 PT Good News! RE: The Canadian Senate ReportHere's the good part: http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/library-e/riley-e.htm#11.%20Conclusions%20and%20RecommendationsThe Recommendations include:"15. Criminal sanctions for the personal use of illicit drugs be removed.16. Regulation and taxation of commercial production and sale of cannabis be considered."among others. HEHEHEHEHEHE!-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by TroutMask on September 04, 2002 at 06:44:10 PT Canadian Senate Report(s) It appears the Canadian Senate Reports have been posted online here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/research-papers-e.htmSupposedly, an "official release" of the report is to occur today at 11 a.m. (local time, wherever the Senate is I guess).-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on September 04, 2002 at 06:19:33 PT How many strikes does Prince Harry have so far? Don't forget that the UK has a lot of activists willing to get three strikes - or to challenge the police at their first "offense". Remember the crowds of people trying to get arrested at Stockport. And remember also that it's technically still illegal in the Netherlands; they just have de-facto decrim, which is something the UK could also do no matter what the blowhards at the top of the food chain have to say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on September 04, 2002 at 04:33:58 PT Lighter side Sounds like these blokes would rather be umpires.Free Cannabis Free Thought Free SpeechStrike Free [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by qqqq on September 04, 2002 at 02:30:38 PT .....yup...... ...CollateralDamage,,,,,it's good,and inspirational to see you,,especially in the wee hours.,.,.... ...yup...it's most unfortunate that this "3 strikes" type program,(which sortof originated in California) will quite likely,eventually be deployed in the amerikan empire,within the new "treatment" programs. .......... ......While such strange measures make it seem as if the authoritys have softened their positions on these matters,,,,in actuality,,there will be little change in the draconian whims of the powers that be. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by cltrldmg on September 04, 2002 at 01:49:25 PT Yep, disappointing It isn't even decriminalization. You can still go to jail, and they will steal your cannabis. The new guidelines for personal possession make it worse than before, three grams is a ridiculous amount.. less than an eighth of an ounce. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dan B on September 03, 2002 at 23:09:21 PT: In Other Words . . . Britain has completely backed out of the plan to legalize small amounts. This sickens me to the core. Ultimately, what this means is that more blood will be heaped upon the heads of the prohibitionists.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 03, 2002 at 20:27:24 PT News Brief from Ananova 'Three Strikes and You're Out' Pot Laws Ananova http://www.ananova.com/ Story filed: 02:31 Wednesday 4th September 2002 Police will give cannabis smokers "three strikes and you're out" warnings when the drug is reclassified next year. Users stopped in the street once or twice with the drug will simply have it confiscated, be given a formal warning and sent on their way. But anyone caught three times in a year will face tougher penalties including a caution or arrest and charge for possession. The new guidelines come from the Association of Chief Police Officers being unveiled at its annual drugs conference. The revised stance on cannabis will come in to effect by July next year once the Home Secretary David Blunkett reclassifies the drug from Class B to the less serious Class C. An ACPO spokesman said: "It is effectively three strikes and out and you could be arrested." "The guidelines are in response to the Home Secretary's reclassification of cannabis. You will be given a warning for the first two times but if you are caught a third time within a 12 month period you will face more serious penalties," he added. Under the guidelines, quantities of up to three grams of cannabis will be deemed for personal use. But anyone who refuses to hand over the drug or challenges the police to take action will also face arrest. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment