Police: "harder line" on UK pot smokers
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/13/drugspolicy-drugsandalcohol
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- covelogibbs
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Jacqui Smith said that those caught with cannabis for a second time would be fined £80 and after three strikes would be arrested.
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"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 to mental health.
Smith announced last May that she would go against the recommendations of the government's scientific experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which was asked by the home secretary to take its third look at cannabis classification in recent years.
The council's advice was that cannabis should remain class C.
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cabinettags
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This was surprising in several ways.
"Prosecutions and jail sentences for using and supplying cannabis plummeted after the then-home secretary David Blunkett downgraded cannabis in January 2004."
Then along comes skunk, and Jacqui Smith is very concerned. So they're voting to move it back up to a B.
This move doesn't seem to be based on problems they're experiencing but rather on their fears. This move is silliness and contrary to the recommendations of their own experts.
Danny Kushlick from the Transform Drug Policy Foundation condemned the move, accusing ministers of "populist posturing".
He said: "Escalating penalties for possession only serve to further marginalise and criminalise millions of otherwise law-abiding people.
"Criminalisation of cannabis possession is discriminatory and disproportionate when compared with tobacco and alcohol possession and counterproductive in so far as it gifts the market to organised criminals and drives the trade underground."
The process for changing the classification of the drug requires votes in both Houses of Parliament. If both votes pass, the new rules will come into force on January 26.
Looks like some of our Brit cousins are trying to make political hay.
- 3 years ago
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cabinettags
