WE'LL EASE UP ON CANNABIS USERS

Police Outline Softer New Policy On Drug

Police in Northamptonshire say discretion will be used when dealing with
people caught with cannabis once the drug is downgraded. The county force
hinted at the softer approach while continuing its policy on dealing with
cannabis after it was today officially reclassified from a Class B to a
Class C drug.

Officers have warned rug users that police will still have the power to
arrest people found in possession of the drug, but say officers will lean
toward a policy of seizing the cannabis and warning offenders. Assistant
Chief Constable Derek Talbot said: "We have always made targeting dealers
of Class A drugs our priority.

"In that respect we will continue to use our discretion when dealing with
people found in possession of small amounts of cannabis deemed for personal
use. "However, people should be warned that officers still retain their
power of arrest where there are aggravating circumstances, such as repeated
possession of cannabis, smoking of cannabis in public view or possession of
cannabis near to young people." The move received a guarded welcome from
those pushing for the full legalisation of cannabis in the county.

Northamptonshire representative for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, Michael
Mullaney, said: "The reclassification is positive in as much as police are
less likely to arrest individuals.

"But it does not go far enough. Police can still arrest people for
possession. This organisation is pushing for licensed outlets where the
drug would be subject to quality controls." The decision to reclassify
cannabis was announced by the Government in September last year.