NO EASING OF CANNABIS LEGISLATION IN SCOTLAND

Cannabis possession will remain an arrestable offence in Scotland, despite
a change to the law which will mean people in England face only a fine.

Proposed reclassification of the drug from Class B to Class C was supposed
to make possession a minor offence across the UK. But Scotland on Sunday
can reveal that differences in the law north and south of the Border mean
anyone caught with the drug in Scotland can still be arrested.

In London, a pilot scheme in which police took a more 'relaxed' attitude to
possession of cannabis was considered a complete success and is shortly to
be extended. It is widely expected that the Home Secretary, David Blunkett
- - who has been impressed by such schemes - will act to have the drug
reclassified by the spring.

However, under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,
police will still have the power of arrest over cannabis users.

The legal loophole in Scotland has been condemned by cannabis campaigners,
and police officers warn that there is widespread confusion over the issue.

One officer said: "We are being put in a difficult position. Officers are
now being asked to make some very serious decisions without really knowing
what is the right thing to do. Should these people be arrested or should
they not? How much do they need to have in their possession before we
arrest them?"

The loophole could halt high-profile plans for a cannabis cafe in Edinburgh
which was to be launched to take advantage of Blunkett's softening stance
on the drug.

Kevin Williamson, the Edinburgh-based publisher who discovered Irvine
Welsh, author of Trainspotting, wanted to open a cannabis cafe this summer.
Billed as an "urban retreat" where cannabis users would be able to relax in
a "culturally stimulating environment" the cafe plan has been welcomed by
local shop owners who believe it will boost tourism.