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ARTICLE
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United Kingdom, Wavering Cannabis Illegality
Cannabis is classified as an illegal drug in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, amongst all illegal substances it is the most popular and widely used.
It is currently considered as a class B drug
amongst the A, B & C groups (A being the most
severe one, with drugs like cocaine and heroin in
the group). The law states that punishment for
possession of drugs in group B is up to 5 years in
prison, an unlimited fine or both; and possession
with intent to supply is up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Cannabis was downgraded from class B to class C
in 2004. The change was designed to allow police
forces to concentrate their resources on more serious offences, including those involving “harder
drugs”. The government stated that the reclassification of cannabis to class C had the desired effect, with arrests for cannabis possession falling
by one third in the first year following, saving an
estimated 199,000 police hours.
As a class C drug the punishment was up to 2
years in prison and an unlimited fine. Class C includes substances such as tranquilisers, some
painkillers, GHB (so-called “liquid ecstasy”) and
ketamine. Possession of class C drugs is treated
largely as a non-arrestable offence. However, it
was again upgraded from class C to class B in May
2008.
The decision made to return to tougher sentences for possession of cannabis was justified by a
widespread concern about the increased availability of super-strength “skunk” varieties of the
drug and its negative effects on mental health.
Nevertheless, studies have been made which disproved this. The changes also included a ban on
the sale of cannabis seeds and cannabis smoking equipment such as pipes. However, these are
still sold quite freely at many markets and small
shops across the country.
It is officially a “three strikes” system for cannabis
possession, which starts initially with a warning,
then for a second offence an £80 on-the-spot fine.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have bailed out
of such penalty arrangements for England and
Wales, remaining with the former system for class
B drugs. Only when a third offence is committed
will the person be liable to arrested and prosecuted.
Initially, the news about upgrading cannabis was
heavily criticised after police said they would continue letting offenders off with a “slap on the
wrist.” Despite the stricter laws implemented in
2008, there is still room for a change towards legalisation. The recently appointed Crime Prevention Minister, Norman Baker, who became
responsible for drugs policy, has said legal cannabis should be “considered”, giving hope to those
seeking reform. He said that cannabis is “no more
harmful than alcohol or tobacco” and has urged
resources to be channelled into tackling hard
drugs.
There have been some efforts made towards legalisation of medical marijuana. In 1999, a House
of Lords inquiry recommended that cannabis be
made available with a doctor’s prescription. Since
then, although the government of the U.K. has
not accepted the recommendations, new longterm clinical trials have been authorized. Some
juries have returned verdicts of “not guilty” for
people charged with marijuana possession for
medical, however there are many people in jail for
the offence of possession, cultivation or supplying
medical marijuana.
Overall, the law in the UK has been relatively tolerant towards marijuana, but it seems that it will
take some time before complete legalisation will
become a possibility due to some misconceptions
that are associated with the plant.