NEW CANNABIS APPROACH URGED IN SCOTLAND

Senior police chiefs in Scotland are being urged to adopt new
guidelines on the use of cannabis.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland is proposing a more relaxed approach towards the use
of the drug.

Users would only be arrested in certain aggravating circumstances,
such as smoking in public or around children.

Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said the guidelines
should be issued to Scottish police forces too.

'Lagging behind'

He said: "In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the police are to be
issued with new guidelines that will effectively decriminalise
cannabis for personal use.

"The police in Scotland must urgently draw up similar guidelines to
end the needless prosecution and criminalisation of cannabis users
north of the border.

"In England, Wales and Northern Ireland they are at least beginning to
address the issue, here in Scotland we are sadly lagging behind.

"The Scottish Socialist Party will continue to fight for the full
legalisation of cannabis within a licensing framework similar to
alcohol and tobacco that enables the setting up of Dutch style
cannabis cafes."