REEFER MADNESS

No Wonder the Police Are Confused

Not for the first time, the Police Federation is confused. As we
report today, the union representing beat officers believes that the
downgrading of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug has left its
members unclear about what to do about the rise in the numbers of
people openly smoking marijuana on the street. They say that
declassification has led to a casual culture of lawlessness and that
police officers are provoked by people smoking joints and believing
they are above the law.

The Police Federation has traditionally opposed liberalising reform,
insisting it will lead to mayhem on the streets. The move to change
the classification of cannabis was backed by senior officers, who
believed that it was crucial for police to concentrate their efforts
on the deadly trade in harder drugs. Now, though, they should listen
to the federation. It is too easy to dismiss the complaints of
ordinary officers who face a genuine dilemma in the policing of
cannabis misuse.

In opting for the middle way between prohibition and full
legalisation, the Home Office has confused all of us. This newspaper
has always backed the liberalisation of drug laws, but we have to
recognise that declassification has had a perverse effect. The
endeavour was designed to free police time for other work, not to
provide the means for users to taunt officers who are forced to
tolerate what remains an illegal act.

The answer is not, as the federation demands, to return to the status
quo ante, but to move towards the licensing of cannabis. This should
be accompanied by full trials of the new, stronger strains of the drug
available, which research suggests can induce psychosis.

The cannabis debate can fuddle the brain almost as much as the drug
itself. What police and public need is a clear head from government on
this issue and a clear message on its legality.