Cannabis The impact of changes in legislation

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CannabisThe impact of changes in legislation

• DI Zoë Adams
• MPS Drugs Directorate

Date Arial 14pt
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Cannabis The Law

• Body copy Arial 20/32pt
• Class C drug since January 2004
• Remains illegal to possess
• Possession 2 years in prison/unlimited fine
• Supplying 14 years in prison/unlimited fine

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The Reality.

• 18 and over?
• Not automatically arrestedunless
• caught regularly (2 previous warnings)
• public place
• vicinity of children and young people (e.g.
  school)

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.The Reality

• Under 18 years?
• Cannot be given a cannabis warning
• Arrested
• s.65 Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• Reprimand, a final warning or criminal charges
• Referral to Youth Offending Team (YOT) -
  identify any underlying problems associated with
  a young person's cannabis use

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Some Statistics

• Approx 70 of the total persons accused of a
  cannabis offence fall in the 10-25 year age group
  15 10-17
  35 18-21 20 22-25
• Since April 2004, there has been a year on year
  increase in the number of people found in
  possession of cannabis in the MPS area
• 22,145 people accused of cannabis possession in
  FY following reclassification compared to 31,381
  last FY

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An increase in Cannabis possession?

• Illegal or not? Confusion
• Presumption against arrest may make people less
  concerned
• Changes in consumption patterns
• Cultivation offences MPS area
• FY 03-04 248
• FY 04-05 319
• FY 05-06 802

MPS cannabis data
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• Any Questions?
• Zoe.Adams_at_met.police.uk
• 020 7230 2501