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Police reconsider cannabis stance Police reconsider cannabis stance
(about 2 hours later)
Senior police officers are calling for cannabis to be reclassified from a class C to a class B drug.Senior police officers are calling for cannabis to be reclassified from a class C to a class B drug.
Three years ago the Association of Chief Police Officers supported the downgrading of the drug, but now wants a return to the previous position. Three years ago the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) supported the drug's downgrading, but now wants a return to the previous position.
Tim Hollis, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, said downgrading cannabis had sent out the wrong signals.Tim Hollis, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, said downgrading cannabis had sent out the wrong signals.
Acpo is also concerned about the number of cannabis "factories" that have sprung up across the country.Acpo is also concerned about the number of cannabis "factories" that have sprung up across the country.
Organised crime
Mr Hollis said organised criminals now viewed the UK as a potential place to produce cannabis.Mr Hollis said organised criminals now viewed the UK as a potential place to produce cannabis.
There is also growing evidence of the links between mental illness and cannabis abuse - especially amongst young people. He said: "Some people are targeting the UK because they see it's financially worthwhile.
Police are stressing that any reclassification would not necessarily change the way that they currently police possession of cannabis, although that may be reviewed in the light of any reclassification. "We've got to increase the risk of being raided by the police and send a clear message out that cannabis is a drug, we do take it seriously, and we will tackle those people who try to trade in drugs."
ACPO will give evidence relating to its new position to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Police say any reclassification would not necessarily change the way that they currently police possession of cannabis, although that may be reviewed in the light of any reclassification.
A decision by the Home Office on whether cannabis will be upgraded to a class B drug is expected next year. Mr Hollis said the emphasis should be on targeting dealers, rather than criminalising people who use cannabis recreationally.
Acpo will give its evidence relating to its new position to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which is due to report to the Home Office next Spring.
Consultations
A Home Office spokesperson said the government would decide, probably next summer, whether or not to reclassify cannabis following consultations with both the advisory council and the public.
But the Home Office is stressing that since cannabis was downgraded in 2004, there has been a "steady fall" in the use of the drug.
It quotes research from the government-funded Information Centre that says cannabis use among children aged between 11 and 15 has fallen since 2004.
The drugs charity Release criticised Acpo's new stance, saying reclassification "would make no difference" to people's decision whether they smoked cannabis or not.
Niamh Eastwood, Release's head of legal services, said: "The latest figures show that young people are smoking less cannabis. On the other hand, the consumption of alcohol and cocaine is rising."