ACPO Cannabis Enforcement Guidelines press release

ACPO PUBLISH CANNABIS ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES

Chief police officers have issued new guidelines on policing cannabis possession following the Government’s proposal to reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug.

Announcing the new policing enforcement guidelines, Andy Hayman, Chairman of the ACPO Drugs Sub-Committee and Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, said:

“Following a period of consultation these guidelines have been developed to provide police officers with straightforward operational guidance for dealing with simple cases of possession by adult offenders.

“The proposed reclassification of cannabis will mean that officers will still have a power of arrest for simple possession. In the spirit of the Home Secretary's decision to reclassify cannabis, the new guidance recommends that there should be a presumption against arrest. In practice, this means that in the majority of cases officers will issue a warning and confiscate the drug. Police officers will be expected to use their discretion and take the circumstances of each case into account before deciding whether to arrest or not.

“The guidance suggests that arrest will be considered in circumstances such as the smoking of cannabis in public view, repeated possession of the drug, public disorder as a result of cannabis possession or possessing cannabis in the vicinity of premises frequented by young people, such as schools and youth clubs. Young people (under 18s) who are found in possession of cannabis will receive a formal warning at a police station.

“The reclassification of cannabis will allow police to focus more time and resources on Class A drugs. That said, despite reclassification, it remains illegal to possess cannabis."

The cannabis enforcement guidance will become operational in early 2004.

ends

41/03 11th September 2003

For more information please contact Valentine Murombe-Chivero or Lisa Vasco on 020 7227 3406/25.

Notes to Editors:

Mr Hayman will only be available for interviews in Norfolk at the following times:
Thursday 11th September, 3.30 to 4.30pm and 6.30 to 7.30pm.
Friday 12th September, all morning till 11.00am and then from 12.00-2.00pm.