cannabisnews.com: Police Chief Acknowledges 'Muddle' Over Drug Law





Police Chief Acknowledges 'Muddle' Over Drug Law
Posted by CN Staff on January 15, 2004 at 21:47:23 PT
By Jason Bennetto, Crime Correspondent
Source: Independent UK
Britain's most high-ranking police chief admitted yesterday that there was widespread confusion and "muddle" surrounding the changes to the law on cannabis due to take place at the end of the month.Sir John Stevens, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said some people mistakenly believed that the drug was being legalised. He said there was a "massive amount of muddle" over the changes, which will see cannabis downgraded from a class B to a class C drug on 29 January.
He also conceded that the decision to limit an experimental "softly, softly" policing approach to cannabis possession to Brixton, in the south London borough of Lambeth, had been a mistake.The Home Office issued a statement yesterday saying that it was spending £1m in the next few weeks on an advertising campaign to inform the police, young people, and cannabis users what the changes to the law will mean.The reclassification has been controversial, with some people arguing that it sends the wrong message to teenagers and is confusing, while drug reform groups believe that it does not go far enough.David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, argues that it will allow the police to concentrate on more harmful drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin.Under the changes, possessing the drug will cease to be an arrestable offence in most situations, but officers will retain the power to arrest in aggravated circumstances such as smoking the drug outside schools or on the street. In most cases, the drug will be confiscated and users will be given a warning. The maximum penalty for the possession of cannabis will be reduced from five years' to two years' imprisonment. Children under 18 caught with the drug will usually have two warnings before they are charged.But Sir John told LBC Radio: "There is a massive amount of muddle about where we are with cannabis - cannabis, the possession of cannabis, the use of cannabis, is still against the law. You are committing an offence if you have it in your possession and if you use it. I think that needs to be made absolutely clear."We have to get that out in a very simplified form to schools and, likewise, what our policy is in terms of when people have got it for their own purposes - small amounts."Asked whether it was the job of the police or the Government to enforce the message that cannabis was still illegal, Sir John replied: "Both - but it's an issue that has been raised by a lot of officers and they feel that we need to get that out as soon as possible."Sir John said that concern and confusion, which has been expressed by headteachers, lawyers and even police officers, had been prompted initially by the 2002 Brixton experiment, which was run by the then divisional commander, Brian Paddick. Under that scheme, officers were instructed to give cautions to those found in possession of small amounts of the drug rather than arresting them.Sir John said: "Most of this started with this pilot scheme in Brixton and I think that we, I, made a mistake in just making that pilot down in Lambeth, in Brixton. I think because of the nature of Brixton and the fact that a large amount of attention was focused on Brixton, it made it like a goldfish bowl."We should have perhaps done a pilot in Brixton but possibly in another two or three boroughs as well."   Source: Independent (UK)Author:  Jason Bennetto, Crime CorrespondentPublished: January 16, 2004Copyright: 2004 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.Contact: letters independent.co.ukWebsite: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Related Articles & Web Site:Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special http://freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmMPs Vote To Downgrade Cannabishttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17692.shtmlLeniency Urged Towards Grow Your Own Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15960.shtmlResearchers Call for Softer Pot Cultivation Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15957.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #4 posted by Virgil on January 16, 2004 at 09:34:42 PT
There will be protest for legalization
9/11 put a damper on the protest, but now that the new law is to take effect, the Battle for Britain will be on. It is all in an environment that challenges the mission and methods of government. Blair is in serious jeopardy of ousting. He is going to have three serious challanges before the parialment thing they do where they fire questions at him and he gives an immediate response. The issue of the big increases in tuition is enough to take him down. Then the issue of the dead microbiologist he has begged off because the report was not out is coming. Then there is an issue of him calling for an invasion of Iraq. There will be protest in London on the 28th and 29th. There will always be protest for that matter until it is regulated. Blunkett is calling for jail without trial because of terror- http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/The UK also has the longest workweek in Europe of about 42 hours and they know it. It is just a way of life to stay at the pub after work and not be home at all. I would think it hard to find someone who did not have an alcoholic in the family and there are many like me that think cannabis would be wonderful on a national level because it would reduce the harms of alcohol by offering a superior alternative. And without the hangovers and missing time and illness maybe they could cut the work week and save on national health care.There are plenty of people that know how stupid CP is in the UK and are witness to the ways of Holland for proof. They want cannabis regulated and the answer of no is unacceptable.The protests will be on as the temperatures rise. You can bet on it and there is only one thing that will stop them- Free Cannabis For Everyone.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on January 16, 2004 at 08:23:02 PT
Don Nord
I heard a report on KOA from Denver, Colorado about the Don Nord case.It went something like this: "The feds don't have a case on this one. The Colorado law will be the final judge and the feds will lose."As I recall it being said, it was late.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by Dark Star on January 16, 2004 at 08:00:30 PT
Sam
That said, they're still way ahead of Amerika!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on January 16, 2004 at 06:59:55 PT
message is perfectly clear
The message being sent is that the English are being governed by spineless buffoons, who are too cowardly to show even 1 ounce of leadership and commitment in making logical and efficient policy.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment