BRITAIN TOUGHEST ON CANNABIS USE

BRITAIN has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe, especially where
cannabis is concerned, according to the head of the Lisbon-based European
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Danilo Ballotta says that in most other European countries, the rules are
less severe.

In Holland smoking cannabis is not illegal and possession of up to five
grams, or three or four joints that can be obtained in "coffee shops", does
not warrant a charge. However, anyone caught with more than five grams
faces a prison sentence of up to one month and/or a fine of UKP1,400,
although there is a fair degree of flexibility in sentencing.

In France penalties vary between regions and people are rarely prosecuted
for possession of cannabis unless they are caught trafficking. In Belgium
there is also a more relaxed view and authorities no longer prosecute for
first-time possession.

In Germany prison sentences of up to six months are technically applicable,
although this rarely happens because amounts deemed for personal use are
not classified as being illegal.

Although Spanish law does not distinguish between different classes of
drug, meaning those caught with cannabis can be treated with the same
severity as those caught with cocaine or heroin, in reality the rules are
less intimidating. There are no prison sentences for personal use, although
in theory possession typically requires a fine of between UKP180 and
UKP10,800.

Possession of drugs for personal use only is not a crime in Italy. Under
Italian law citizens are not committing an offence if they are found in
possession of "a modest quantity" of cannabis, heroin or even Ecstasy. The
law does not define a modest amount, leaving it up to local courts to
decide on a case-by-case basis.

Even in Austria, where dealing in hard drugs can end in a prison sentence
of up to 20 years, the same as murder, the law on cannabis is applied more
flexibly than in Britain. There are regional differences but for possession
of lower quantities jail sentences are rarely handed out.