IT'S THREE SPLIFFS AND OUT FOR USERS

Cannabis smokers will face a "three strikes and out" tactic from police
when the drug is reclassified next year, it was revealed today.

Users stopped in the street once or twice with cannabis will simply have
the drug confiscated, be given a formal warning and sent on their way.

But anyone caught three times in a year will face tougher penalties
including a caution or arrest and charge for possession.

The new guidelines come from the Association of Chief police Officers and
will be unveiled at its annual drugs conference which starts in Blackpool
today.

The revised stance on cannabis will come into effect by July next year once
the Home Secretary David Blunkett reclassifies the drug from Class B to the
less serious Class C in the Misuse of Drugs Act. Andy Hayman, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police and ACPO spokesman on
drugs, is expected to detail the new guidelines today.

An ACPO spokesman said: "It is effectively three strikes and out and you
could be arrested." Under the new guidelines, quantities of up to three
grams of cannabis will be deemed for personal use.