DOWNGRADING CANNABIS APPLAUDED

Downgrading cannabis from class "B" to class "C" will mean that the
offence of possession is no longer am arrestable offence (a legal term
not to be confused with the power of arrest) under section 24 of the
Police and Criminal Evidence Act. However, the police will continue
to have power under their general powers by virtue of section 25 of
the Act. the drug will not be decriminalised.

As a former police officer, I applaud these bold proposals. Too much
police time and resources deal with the issue when there are far more
important matters to be addressed.

However, please let the message to the cannabis using public be made
clear: you can still be arrested if found in possession of the drug,
whether for personal use or otherwise.

If the police decide not to arrest, that does not mean that you cannot
be summonsed for the offence of possession of a class C drug.

Aidan Thorne,
Bushey,
Herts