Pubdate: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 Source: Northampton Chronicle & Echo (UK) Copyright: 2007 Northamptonshire Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/news/chron/index.asp Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2739 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) JUDGE CRITICISES CHANGES TO CANNABIS LAW A judge has criticised the Government decision to downgrade cannabis after sentencing a supermarket worker for dealing. Kieron Harvey, aged 23, was caught with cannabis worth UKP668 when police raided his home in Northampton House, Wellington Street, Northampton on March 2. Northampton Crown Court heard how officers found a large bag of cannabis at his feet as they entered the property, as well as UKP905 in cash, and a small amount hidden in a tin. But as well as the cannabis, officers also discovered a canister of police-issued pepper spray which Harvey said was for his girlfriend who suffers from agoraphobia and gave her the confidence to go out. Harvey, who admitted possession of cannabis with intent and possession of a prohibited weapon, said he had bought the drugs in bulk to save money and supply it to his friends. Michael Waterfield, prosecuting, said: "He decided to buy the cannabis in bulk because it was cheaper and himself and two other people who he lives with would chip in. "They intended it should be smoked between them, with the defendant spending about UKP500 a month on cannabis." Judge Richard Bray sentenced him to 40 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for a year, with supervision, and UKP200 costs. Harvey was also fined UKP905 for having the pepper spray. Passing sentence, he said: "This remains a serious offence. You had a warning about cannabis from the magistrates some time ago and failed to heed it and continued to use it and supply it to others. "Cannabis is not just a harmless recreational drug. Recent research has confirmed it is a drug which can contribute substantially, particularly in its modern forms, to mental illness. "This Government should never have reduced it from a class B to a class C drug. This sends out completely the wrong message to drug users in this country." Makhan Shoker, defending, said Harvey's arrest had acted as a wake-up call and he had now started to reduce the amount of cannabis he smoked each month. He added: "Apart from smoking cannabis with his friends at the flat, he leads a perfectly normal law-abiding life." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman