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Cannabis becomes Class B drug today
Cannabis is upgraded to a Class B drug today, but users will not be fined after the sudden withdrawal of new powers to allow on-the-spot penalties.
The embarrassing hitch has arisen after the Ministry of Justice withdrew a parliamentary order that would have given police the power to issue penalty notices for 21 offences, including possession of cannabis.
It had been expected that, from today, police would be able to impose an £80 fine for possession as a key part of tougher action against the drug. The new approach means that officers would issue a warning for a first-time offender, a second offence of possession should result in the £80 on-the-spot fine, and a third would lead to arrest.
Until a new order is passed by Parliament, police will not be able to impose the fine. The Home Office said yesterday that the order would be debated on Wednesday and, if approved, guidance would be sent to police forces in England and Wales.
“The Home Secretary has made clear that PNDs [penalty notices for disorder] are necessary for possession of cannabis, to allow police to operate an escalated enforcement regime,” a spokesman said. “The police are currently able to deal with the offence of cannabis possession by warning or by prosecution.”
Home Office officials have made clear their dismay at the Ministry of Justice's failure to have the power ready in time for the upgrading.
The Ministry of Justice said that the order was dropped when ministers decided to consult on a range of new offences to be punishable with penalty notices. A spokesman said: “Penalty notices for disorder for possession of cannabis will go ahead as soon as possible, subject to the agreement of Parliament.”
The ministry withdrew the parliamentary order last week after a decision to drop the introduction of £80 on-the-spot fines for bogus minicab drivers and to rethink whether instant penalties should be considered for 19 other offences.
As the planned cannabis fine was included in the order, it was also withdrawn. The Government has known since last November that cannabis was to become a Class B drug and the implementation date has been known for weeks.
A £2.2million advertising campaign next month using television, radio and the internet will inform the public of the upgrading and will warn that “cannabis can mess with your mind”.
Cannabis was downgraded to a Class C drug in 2005, but Gordon Brown signalled shortly after he became Prime Minister that he wanted the decision reversed.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Government's official adviser, recommended that the drug should remain Class C. Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, rejected the advice, justifying her decision on the ground of the greater availability of more potent strains of cannabis.
Source:
Cannabis upgraded to Class B due to health fears
Cannabis users face a major crackdown after the drug was upgraded to Class B today.
More arrests and bigger fines are to be dished out by police over the next few weeks to mark the re-classification from low-risk Category C.
A Government-backed ad campaign will also highlight the dangers of using high-strength skunk.
The blitz comes as ministers and senior police officers grow increasingly worried about dope use.
They are particularly concerned about skunk, which makes up 80 per cent of cannabis available on the streets and is linked to severe mental illness.
Adding to their fears, research has shown the average age youngsters first try smoking a spliff is 13.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell warned: “Cannabis poses a real risk to the health of those who use it.
“I’m extremely concerned about the use of stronger variety, skunk, and the harm it can cause to mental health.
“We are reclassifying it to protect the public and future generations.” Gordon Brown ordered the reversal of Tony Blair’s 2004 downgrading of cannabis when he became Prime Minister two years ago.
Under the new rules, people caught in possession face a warning for a first offence or arrest if they are near a school or have a large amount of the drug.
A second offence is an £80 fine and a third will mean the user is arrested.
Top drugs cop Tim Hollis, chief constable of Humberside Police, warned there was a clear message for young people.
He said: “This is a dangerous drug and there is an increased prospect of police taking firm action with regards to offences of possession.
“Where cannabis use is repeated, or where there are aggravating circumstances, officers will take a harder line on enforcement and an arrest is more likely.”
Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...-class-b-due-to-health-fears-115875-21071212/
Cannabis law change 'illogical'
The reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug has come into effect in England amid complaints by magistrates the new laws are "illogical".
The government said it went against its advisors to upgrade the drug because of worries of its affect on mental health. Magistrates welcomed the reclassification but said planned fines for possessing small amounts undermined the more serious classification. They said it sent the signal cannabis is not as bad as other Class B drugs.
Plans to introduce a "three strikes" system for cannabis possession start with a warning, then an £80 spot fine for a second offence.
Only when a third offence is committed, will the person be liable to arrest and prosecution.
Penalties for drug offences
The spot fine proposal is due for further consultation after magistrates expressed concerns about taking offences away from the courts system. The Magistrates' Association argued that some of the offences were too serious to be dealt with out of court and that penalty payment rates were low. The fines are to be debated in the Lords on Monday and are expected to come into force on Wednesday. Currently, police can only warn or prosecute people caught in possession of cannabis.
The maximum prison term for possessing cannabis rises from two to five years with its reclassification.
Home Office minister Alan Campbell said: "Cannabis is a harmful drug and while fewer people are taking it than before, it poses a real risk to the health of those who do use it."
'SKUNK' CANNABIS
So-called because it has a very strong smell
Three times stronger than other types of cannabis
Contains much higher levels of the active ingredient - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Now accounts for between 70% and 80% of samples seized by police
Six years ago it accounted for 15% of samples
He added: "We are reclassifying cannabis to protect the public and future generations."
But John Fassenfelt, deputy chair of the Magistrates' Association, said the fine system would send out mixed messages. "What is that telling the youngster on the street?" he said. "Is it telling them well, you can have cannabis, it's not so serious as other Class B drugs.
"It's a dual justice system. If you smoke or take another Class B drug you'll be brought to court, if you take cannabis you'll be given a fine. Where's the justice in that?"
A £2.2m TV, radio and internet campaign will launch next month to warn young people about the dangers of using the drug.
'Three times stronger'
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith decided to reclassify cannabis despite an Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' review - commissioned by Gordon Brown - saying it should remain Class C.
Ms Smith said stronger "skunk" varieties account for 80% of the cannabis seized on the streets, and that the drug is nearly three times stronger than in 1995. This farce would have been avoided had ministers heeded the advice of the experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The move to Class B has got nothing to do with public health and education and everything to do with posturing on penalties.
"This farce would have been avoided had ministers heeded the advice of the experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs."
The advisory council's report, Cannabis: Classification and Public Health, described the drug as a "significant public health issue".
But it said it should still remain a Class C drug, saying the risks were not as serious as those of Class B substances such as amphetamines and barbiturates.
Class C includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine. Possession of Class C drugs is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence.
The Conservatives have said the government's reversal of its earlier decision showed the downgrading of cannabis had been a mistake.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7850342.stm
Cannabis becomes Class B drug today
Cannabis is upgraded to a Class B drug today, but users will not be fined after the sudden withdrawal of new powers to allow on-the-spot penalties.
The embarrassing hitch has arisen after the Ministry of Justice withdrew a parliamentary order that would have given police the power to issue penalty notices for 21 offences, including possession of cannabis.
It had been expected that, from today, police would be able to impose an £80 fine for possession as a key part of tougher action against the drug. The new approach means that officers would issue a warning for a first-time offender, a second offence of possession should result in the £80 on-the-spot fine, and a third would lead to arrest.
Until a new order is passed by Parliament, police will not be able to impose the fine. The Home Office said yesterday that the order would be debated on Wednesday and, if approved, guidance would be sent to police forces in England and Wales.
“The Home Secretary has made clear that PNDs [penalty notices for disorder] are necessary for possession of cannabis, to allow police to operate an escalated enforcement regime,” a spokesman said. “The police are currently able to deal with the offence of cannabis possession by warning or by prosecution.”
Home Office officials have made clear their dismay at the Ministry of Justice's failure to have the power ready in time for the upgrading.
The Ministry of Justice said that the order was dropped when ministers decided to consult on a range of new offences to be punishable with penalty notices. A spokesman said: “Penalty notices for disorder for possession of cannabis will go ahead as soon as possible, subject to the agreement of Parliament.”
The ministry withdrew the parliamentary order last week after a decision to drop the introduction of £80 on-the-spot fines for bogus minicab drivers and to rethink whether instant penalties should be considered for 19 other offences.
As the planned cannabis fine was included in the order, it was also withdrawn. The Government has known since last November that cannabis was to become a Class B drug and the implementation date has been known for weeks.
A £2.2million advertising campaign next month using television, radio and the internet will inform the public of the upgrading and will warn that “cannabis can mess with your mind”.
Cannabis was downgraded to a Class C drug in 2005, but Gordon Brown signalled shortly after he became Prime Minister that he wanted the decision reversed.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Government's official adviser, recommended that the drug should remain Class C. Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, rejected the advice, justifying her decision on the ground of the greater availability of more potent strains of cannabis.
Source:
Cannabis upgraded to Class B due to health fears
Cannabis users face a major crackdown after the drug was upgraded to Class B today.
More arrests and bigger fines are to be dished out by police over the next few weeks to mark the re-classification from low-risk Category C.
A Government-backed ad campaign will also highlight the dangers of using high-strength skunk.
The blitz comes as ministers and senior police officers grow increasingly worried about dope use.
They are particularly concerned about skunk, which makes up 80 per cent of cannabis available on the streets and is linked to severe mental illness.
Adding to their fears, research has shown the average age youngsters first try smoking a spliff is 13.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell warned: “Cannabis poses a real risk to the health of those who use it.
“I’m extremely concerned about the use of stronger variety, skunk, and the harm it can cause to mental health.
“We are reclassifying it to protect the public and future generations.” Gordon Brown ordered the reversal of Tony Blair’s 2004 downgrading of cannabis when he became Prime Minister two years ago.
Under the new rules, people caught in possession face a warning for a first offence or arrest if they are near a school or have a large amount of the drug.
A second offence is an £80 fine and a third will mean the user is arrested.
Top drugs cop Tim Hollis, chief constable of Humberside Police, warned there was a clear message for young people.
He said: “This is a dangerous drug and there is an increased prospect of police taking firm action with regards to offences of possession.
“Where cannabis use is repeated, or where there are aggravating circumstances, officers will take a harder line on enforcement and an arrest is more likely.”
Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...-class-b-due-to-health-fears-115875-21071212/
Cannabis law change 'illogical'
The reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug has come into effect in England amid complaints by magistrates the new laws are "illogical".
The government said it went against its advisors to upgrade the drug because of worries of its affect on mental health. Magistrates welcomed the reclassification but said planned fines for possessing small amounts undermined the more serious classification. They said it sent the signal cannabis is not as bad as other Class B drugs.
Plans to introduce a "three strikes" system for cannabis possession start with a warning, then an £80 spot fine for a second offence.
Only when a third offence is committed, will the person be liable to arrest and prosecution.
Penalties for drug offences
The spot fine proposal is due for further consultation after magistrates expressed concerns about taking offences away from the courts system. The Magistrates' Association argued that some of the offences were too serious to be dealt with out of court and that penalty payment rates were low. The fines are to be debated in the Lords on Monday and are expected to come into force on Wednesday. Currently, police can only warn or prosecute people caught in possession of cannabis.
The maximum prison term for possessing cannabis rises from two to five years with its reclassification.
Home Office minister Alan Campbell said: "Cannabis is a harmful drug and while fewer people are taking it than before, it poses a real risk to the health of those who do use it."
'SKUNK' CANNABIS
So-called because it has a very strong smell
Three times stronger than other types of cannabis
Contains much higher levels of the active ingredient - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Now accounts for between 70% and 80% of samples seized by police
Six years ago it accounted for 15% of samples
He added: "We are reclassifying cannabis to protect the public and future generations."
But John Fassenfelt, deputy chair of the Magistrates' Association, said the fine system would send out mixed messages. "What is that telling the youngster on the street?" he said. "Is it telling them well, you can have cannabis, it's not so serious as other Class B drugs.
"It's a dual justice system. If you smoke or take another Class B drug you'll be brought to court, if you take cannabis you'll be given a fine. Where's the justice in that?"
A £2.2m TV, radio and internet campaign will launch next month to warn young people about the dangers of using the drug.
'Three times stronger'
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith decided to reclassify cannabis despite an Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' review - commissioned by Gordon Brown - saying it should remain Class C.
Ms Smith said stronger "skunk" varieties account for 80% of the cannabis seized on the streets, and that the drug is nearly three times stronger than in 1995. This farce would have been avoided had ministers heeded the advice of the experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The move to Class B has got nothing to do with public health and education and everything to do with posturing on penalties.
"This farce would have been avoided had ministers heeded the advice of the experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs."
The advisory council's report, Cannabis: Classification and Public Health, described the drug as a "significant public health issue".
But it said it should still remain a Class C drug, saying the risks were not as serious as those of Class B substances such as amphetamines and barbiturates.
Class C includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine. Possession of Class C drugs is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence.
The Conservatives have said the government's reversal of its earlier decision showed the downgrading of cannabis had been a mistake.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7850342.stm
