Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jan 2004
Source: Peterborough Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2004, East Midlands Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.peterboroughet.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/961
Cited: Michael Mullaney, Legalise Cannabis Alliance  http://www.lca-uk.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

WE'LL EASE UP ON CANNABIS USERS

Police Outline Softer New Policy On Drug

Police in Northamptonshire say discretion will be used when dealing with 
people caught with cannabis once the drug is downgraded. The county force 
hinted at the softer approach while continuing its policy on dealing with 
cannabis after it was today officially reclassified from a Class B to a 
Class C drug.

Officers have warned rug users that police will still have the power to 
arrest people found in possession of the drug, but say officers will lean 
toward a policy of seizing the cannabis and warning offenders. Assistant 
Chief Constable Derek Talbot said: "We have always made targeting dealers 
of Class A drugs our priority.

"In that respect we will continue to use our discretion when dealing with 
people found in possession of small amounts of cannabis deemed for personal 
use. "However, people should be warned that officers still retain their 
power of arrest where there are aggravating circumstances, such as repeated 
possession of cannabis, smoking of cannabis in public view or possession of 
cannabis near to young people." The move received a guarded welcome from 
those pushing for the full legalisation of cannabis in the county.

Northamptonshire representative for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, Michael 
Mullaney, said: "The reclassification is positive in as much as police are 
less likely to arrest individuals.

"But it does not go far enough.  Police can still arrest people for 
possession.  This organisation is pushing for licensed outlets where the 
drug would be subject to quality controls." The decision to reclassify 
cannabis was announced by the Government in September last year.