POLICE PREDICT RISE IN CANNABIS DEALING

AN official police document forwarded to all the Scottish forces warns
that today's declassification of cannabis is likely to lead to a
significant increase in drug dealing.

In line with plans by David Blunkett, the home secretary, to
declassify cannabis from a class B to class C drug, officers from the
National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) have produced a report
warning of the predicted effects and how to deal with them.

The document, part of a regular assessment of intelligence on criminal
trends, advises officers of growing exposure to cannabis dealing
because of increasing public demand.

Officers believe the increase in cannabis dealing also will influence
a rise in the trafficking and seizure of class A drugs. There is
concern that the wording of the legislation makes it more difficult to
close cannabis cafes where the drug is eaten rather than smoked.

One senior officer warned that forces are preparing for an increase in
cannabis dealing because of the legislation.

"The report warns that the reclassification could lead to an increase
in demand from people who think it is more socially acceptable and
that this will encourage dealers of cannabis and other drugs to
enlarge their network," he said. "It warns that more individuals are
expected to capitalise on drug dealing, including those involved in
organised crime and those not before involved in dealing.

"North of the border, the view is that the legislation is going to
cause real problems and that, to the public mind, Blunkett has given a
wink and a nod to those who think it is socially acceptable. Our
message is that the police will not ignore it or turn a blind eye. We
will target cannabis dealers."

Because the legislation covering drugs offences is different north and
south of the border, forces in Scotland say they will not and cannot
change their current policy, which is to report cannabis possession to
the procurators-fiscal.

Despite the official position, individual officers say they
occasionally throw a single "joint" into the gutter or down the toilet
if that is the first time the person has been caught.

However, the most recent statement from the Association of Chief
Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), asserts that all those caught
with cannabis will still be reported to the procurators-fiscal.

They said: "While the most damaging class A drugs, such as heroin and
cocaine, will continue to be the focus of police enforcement activity,
it must be acknowledged that, despite its reclassification, cannabis
remains a controlled drug. It is therefore important to emphasise that
possession of cannabis remains an arrestable offence."