COURTS COULD BE TOLD NOT TO JAIL CANNABIS DEALERS

Cannabis Dealers Would Escape Jail Under Proposed Sentencing Rules
For Magistrates.

Until now, dealers selling even small quantities have faced up to 14
years in prison.

But in future those convicted of dealing Class C drugs - such as
cannabis - could instead be given community orders. Only big-time
cannabis dealers would face jail.

The rules are in a draft document prepared by the Sentencing
Guidelines Council. They could be adopted as early as February.

Labour downgraded the status of cannabis from Class B to Class C in
2003, which means those caught with the drug for personal use are
unlikely to be arrested. At the time, ministers said the switch
would mean police had more time to chase down drug dealers.

The guidelines also say those caught with large quantities of Class
A drugs such as heroin and cocaine should no longer be jailed if the
drugs are for personal use.

Criticising the proposals, Tory justice spokesman Nick Herbert said:
"What kind of signal will this send to society about our attitude to drugs?"