Latest news with #PsychoactiveSubstancesAct
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Put cannabis on par with crack, says policing chief in rebuke for Khan
Cannabis should be upgraded to a class A drug because of the harm it can cause, a policing chief has said. As Sir Sadiq Khan calls for possession of the drug to be decriminalised, David Sidwick, Dorset's police and crime commissioner, has urged that cannabis, currently a Class B drug, should be put on a par with crack cocaine and heroin. Such a move would see the maximum penalties for possession increase from five to seven years in jail, while the maximum penalty for supplying cannabis would rise from 14 years in prison to life. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, also opposed Sir Sadiq's call for cannabis to be decriminalised. He pointed out that drugs were 'at the centre of a lot of crime' and said drug use was one of the main drivers of antisocial behaviour. Sir Sadiq, the Mayor of London, has proposed that the possession of small amounts of natural cannabis should no longer be a criminal offence. Dealing in or producing the drug would remain illegal. Mr Sidwick sets out his demand in a foreword to a new book by Albert Reece and Gary Hulse, two Australian professors of medicine and psychiatry, who have linked cannabis to mental ill-health, autism and cancer. He said there was growing evidence linking psychosis, cancer and birth defects to cannabis use, particularly with the development of more potent strains. Mr Sidwick warned it was also a 'gateway' drug used by crime gangs to lure in users. They then entice them on to addictive class A drugs such as crack that not only provide more profit per unit but also give the gangs greater power to leverage them into criminal activity. 'Cannabis needs to be taken seriously on a national scale because of the danger it presents, and there needs to be money put into prevention and education to ensure people are aware of these dangers,' he said. 'Currently, Class A drugs take precedence when it comes to enforcement and treatment, but it is my view that there is no point focusing on the destination of addiction if we don't stop people getting on the first two or three carriages of the train in the first place. 'Only through reclassifying cannabis will it be treated with the severity it deserves.' The London Drugs Commission, set up by Sir Sadiq, ruled out full legalisation of cannabis in its report because it said any benefits from tax revenues and reduced police workload were outweighed by the potential longer-term health impacts on users. Instead, it proposed that natural cannabis would be removed from the Misuse of Drugs Act and brought under the Psychoactive Substances Act. This would mean possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use would no longer be a criminal offence, but importing, manufacturing and distributing the drug would remain a criminal act. The Home Office has ruled out any reclassification of cannabis. Mr Sidwick's proposals have been backed by Janie Hamilton, a Dorset mother who has campaigned for upgrading cannabis to class A. Her son James died when he was 36 after refusing treatment for testicular cancer. It followed years of battling mental illness, which his family believes was triggered by his addiction to cannabis, which he started using at 14. Ms Hamilton said: 'My beloved son James was a fun-loving, mischievous, clever, tender-hearted boy who wanted to fit in with his peers and be part of the 'in' crowd. This was to be his undoing. 'At the age of 14, unbeknown to us, living at a boarding school where his father taught, he started smoking cannabis. He became arrogant, rude, secretive, rebellious and unpredictable. I remember thinking how I loved him, but that I didn't like him. 'He dropped out of university after one term and took job after job, worrying us with his bizarre behaviour. He shaved his hair, his eyebrows, cut his eyelashes and became aggressive. He would stay in his room all day and come out at midnight to shower and cook. 'One day, he came home from his job on a building site, turning in circles in the garden and all that night. He told me he had spent all his wages on cannabis. I called the doctor the next day and James was sectioned within an hour, diagnosed with schizophrenia.' She said there had been a 16-year cycle of medical treatment, relapses and trouble with the police before her son died. 'Cannabis is everyone's problem. It destroys lives and families. Let no one say that cannabis is harmless – cracking down on this destructive drug is one of the greatest and most urgent needs facing us all,' she said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Metro
4 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Could cannabis be decriminalised in the UK?
The cannabis debate has resumed in full force after the Mayor of London renewed his call for decriminalisation. The controversial topic has made headlines again after Sadiq Khan backed calls for possession of small amounts of natural cannabis to be decriminalised after a new report made a 'compelling' case for it. Campaigners fear that countless lives could be ruined for a minor possession for personal use if the law is not changed, which they say disproportionately targets marginalised communities. The London Drugs Commission study, led by Lord Falconer and backed by more than 200 experts and academics, urged the government to change how cannabis possession is policed. Lord Falconer, the chair of the report, said: 'This is the most extensive consideration of what is the correct public policy response to cannabis in recent times. 'It is clear that a fundamental reset is required. Legalisation is not the answer. The criminal justice system response needs to focus only on the dealers and not the users. 'Those who suffer from the adverse effects of cannabis – which may be a small percentage of users but it is a high number of people – need reliable, consistent medical and other support.' But, is there a change on the way, and is cannabis use in the UK already decriminalised anyway? Cannabis has never been officially decriminalised, but there is already a 'de facto decriminalisation' in some areas, Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst with Transform Drug Policy Foundation told Metro. Currently, cannabis is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, meaning possession can lead to a fine, imprisonment and a criminal record. Decriminalised – Decriminalisation of a drug like cannabis, or some aspects of use or possession, is about removing criminal sanctions for the offence, and there would be no criminal record – Decriminalisation of a drug like cannabis, or some aspects of use or possession, is about removing criminal sanctions for the offence, and there would be no criminal record Legalisation – This would allow a regulated and taxed cannabis market to exist in some form. In a legalised system, which exists in many US states, cannabis could be sold through commercial pharmacies or shops, or, like in Malta and Germany, through cooperative-owned associations The report is proposing that cannabis be regulated under the Psychoactive Substances Act instead, which would mean there would no longer be a criminal punishment like a fine or caution that leavers a criminal record, potentially forever. Steve said: 'A lot of people have their lives blighted by criminal records. It can impact your work, your ability to travel, to get housing and finance, and affect relationships, and it can be very stigmatising. 'Criminal record from cannabis use is affecting marginalised communities, in particular young black men. And those records can blight their lives forever. 'If you can't get a job or housing, you are more likely to get into crime. And those are the things we are trying to stop. 'And it is a huge drain on police resources, and every time police focuses on that, it is away from something else.' A full-scale decriminalisation could reduce stop and searches for cannabis which 'many do not consider worse than a pint,' he said. Users would be diverted to other services away from the criminal justice system, which is already under pressure. Steve said: 'We already have these schemes in a number of police forces, but not all of them. They are called diversion schemes, and it happens in some London boroughs too.' He said the diversion approach is 'decriminalisation in practice.' The Met Police – the UK's biggest force – has not warmed up to the thought of decriminalising even small-scale possession. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said that while drug use is a 'big issue' for communities, a change in the law is 'not something we're calling for.' Steve accused the Met Police being 'behind the curve,' saying that the College of Policing has 'advocated for diversion as a best practice.' He said that decriminalising possession is 'not the same as legalising anti-social behaviour in public or proposing to legalise anti-social behaviour while driving.' 'Legalising does not mean legalising everything, like giving cannabis to children or flying a plane when out of your mind. No one is talking about that,' he said. People can access medical cannabis legally when it is prescribed by a specialist doctor. This became possible in 2018. The expert said that diversion is 'kind of the same' as decriminalisation, which many police forces do in practice. 'There are 14-15 forces, including the whole of Scotland, where possession is treated as a diversion, where you will not get arrested and a criminal record for small-scale possession of any drug,' he said. 'Durham was one of the first to do it, and Bristol, where we are based, is very good for diversion.' Germany partially decriminalised small amounts of cannabis possession from July 2024. Brazil has also decriminalised personal use of cannabis, the largest country to do so. Malta went a step further when it became the first European country to legalise the cultivation and possession for personal use, followed by Luxembourg. Canada allowed the recreational cultivation, possession, acquisition and consumption of cannabis in 2018, the second country after Uruguay to do so. In the US, Recreational cannabis use is allowed in 24 out of 50 states, while medical use is allowed in 39 states. At a federal state, possession and distribution is technically illegal, but the law is generally not enforced, and there are plans for a review in the pipeline. It appears that the government has no intention to change to law anytime soon. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. 'The government has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.' And Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is unlikely to push for this to change either. He told Politico in 2023, when he was still in opposition, that his party has 'no intention' to change drug laws, and their approach is 'settled.' More Trending Steve told Metro the government is dragging its feet on drug reform, saying it is likely to change eventually. 'We are on the cusp of change. 'Either public opinion continues to tilt towards reform, or it will be economic priorities. 'We would generate about 1 billion in revenue and save about half a billion in the criminal justice system. We are hosing a lot of money into a failing policy, and those realities could come back to bite the government.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent warning after two die in London taking 'blue pills' MORE: British couple arrested in Spain after '33kg of cannabis found in suitcases' MORE: Man jailed for killing girl, 3, after taking '20 lines' of cocaine
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Does 'decriminalising' cannabis mean people can legally buy it?
A new report backed by London mayor Sadiq Khan has recommended that the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use is decriminalised. The report, published by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC), includes 42 recommendations, including removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). The mayor said there was 'a compelling, evidence-based case' for decriminalisation and urged government to consider the report's findings, which argue that the current laws are "disproportionate to the harms" cannabis can pose compared to other drugs. The commission, set up in 2022, does not call for full decriminalisation and instead says "natural" cannabis should be downgraded to classification under the Psychoactive Substances Act. The report also recommends improved addiction services and better education on the dangers of on problematic use and addiction of cannabis is needed. Khan aded: 'The current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system.' The UK has several classifications for substances: Class A (which is deemed to be the most dangerous) Class B, Class C, and psychoactive substances. Class A drugs include heroin and cocaine, an example of Class B drugs are amphetamines and ketamine, and the Class C classification includes steroids and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The UK government describes psychoactive substances as drugs that cause hallucinations, drowsiness or changes in perception of time and space, such as bath salts (synthetic cathinones) or dimethocaine. Cannabis is currently a Class B drug and people found in possession can face a fine or imprisonment. The report argues that: 'The possibility of a custodial prison sentence of any length…for possession of cannabis for personal use feels excessive'. This would effectively remove criminal prosecution the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, while continuing to prohibit the importing, manufacturing and distribution of the drug. A key distinction in drug legislation is the difference between legalisation and decriminalisation, which are two very different terms and should not be confused. When drug use and possession are decriminalised, criminal charges are not applied to anyone carrying the drug, usually for personal use. While this may sound like the drug is now 'legal', in practice this is not the case and it would remain illegal to possess and use the drug. However, it would no longer lead to a criminal record, but may still carry a civil penalty - e.g. civil fines, warnings or treatment or education referrals. Many critics of the current system say that the criminal justice approach perpetuates stigma and marginalises people with problem drug use. The report "makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis," Khan said. Under decriminalisation, it's important to note that selling, manufacturing and giving away cannabis would still carry criminal penalties. Even if cannabis does become decriminalised it would still be illegal to possess and therefore illegal to buy the drug. The key difference, if cannabis was reclassified under psychoactive substances legislation, would be that those in possession for personal use would not face a prison sentence or any fines. Despite arguments from the report that there could be possible gains from legalisation, including tax revenues and reductions in criminalisation, the drug would still remain essentially illegal to possess. Offenders caught selling, dealing or sharing psychoactive substances, for any reason, are likely to still face severe penalties including fines and prison sentences. Under current UK law, drugs that fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act and anabolic steroids are effectively decriminalised as possession will not carry any punishment or fine. Currently, at the lowest end, police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of up to £90 if you're found with cannabis, it may also be possible to pay a penalty without getting a formal warning or caution. If someone is repeatedly found with cannabis, the penalty may vary from treatment for addiction to a maximum penalty for possession, which could mean up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. The maximum penalty for cannabis, supply (selling, dealing or sharing) and cultivation is up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Citizens can often be confused by UK laws on cannabis possession, with many cannabis-based products available to buy online and the NHS proscribing medical cannabis in rare cases. In practice the punishment you will receive for carrying cannabis for personal use can be a lottery, with no set sentencing rules for how much you are allowed to possess, before you are issued with a custodial sentence. The Sentencing Council of England and Wales say that a warning for carrying cannabis can be issued for carrying a 'small amount… consistent with personal use' although there is no maximum legally stated. The LDC report said that several of the participants in their research thought being found in possession of up to one ounce (around 25 grams) of cannabis would be 'unlikely to attract sanction beyond a fine and/or a formal warning'. There are several charges relating to the supply of drugs including conspiracy to supply a controlled drug, supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug and production of a controlled drug / cultivation of cannabis plant, which carry different tariffs. The council say a custodial sentence for cannabis cultivation should start at seven plants or more, with more severe penalties for cultivation of more than 20 plants and producing industrial amounts.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Angela Rayner's sneaky eight-word response when asked if she's done drugs
Deputy PM Angela Rayner has said she's taken 'all sorts' of drugs - like painkillers paracetamol - when asked about demands to decriminalise possession of cannabis for personal use Angela Rayner has said she's taken "all sorts" of drugs - like painkillers - when asked about demands to decriminalise possession of cannabis for personal use. Ms Rayner, who is also the Housing Secretary, was challenged about the independent London Drugs Commission today calling for 'a fundamental reset' in the way cannabis use is dealt with by the authorities. Former Labour Justice Secretary Lord Charlie Falconer, who chaired the commission, said the criminal justice response must be focused on punishing dealers, not users. Asked if she supported calls to legalise possession of cannabis in small amounts, Ms Rayner said: "No. That's not the government position and we're not going to be changing our policy." Asked if she's ever done drugs, the deputy PM said with a small smile: "I've taken paracetamol, codeine and all sorts, yes." Last year Keir Starmer refused say whether had had taken drugs. He responded only by saying: "I had a good time when I was a student." Pressed on what exactly that meant, the Labour leader replied: "It means I had a good time when I was a student." The London Commission today published its findings from what it called 'the most comprehensive international study to date of the use, impact and policing of cannabis'. It found that the impacts of stop and search and/or jail sentences cannot be justified on a person with a small amount of the drug. It said cannabis policing continues 'to focus on particular ethnic communities, creating damaging, long-lasting consequences for individuals, wider society, and police-community relations'.# The commission concluded that the inclusion of cannabis as a class B drug in the Misuse of Drugs Act is 'disproportionate to the harms' caused by other drugs under the law. It calls for it to be moved to the Psychoactive Substances Act, where it would remain a criminal act to import, manufacture and distribute cannabis but not to possess it in small quantities for personal use. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the report. "I've long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities," he said. "We must recognise that better education, improved healthcare and more effective, equitable policing of cannabis use are long overdue." But a Home Office spokeswoman said: 'We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. We have no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.'
Mint
4 days ago
- Health
- Mint
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says it's ‘high time' to decriminalise cannabis for ‘personal' use
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the government to decriminalise small quantities of natural cannabis, saying the current laws 'cannot be justified.' His comments came after a fresh report by the London Drugs Commission (LDC) found that the current laws on cannabis were 'disproportionate to the harms it can pose,' following a study of how the drug is policed around the world. Khan himself set up LDC in 2022. 'I've long been clear that we need fresh thinking on how to reduce the substantial harms associated with drug-related crime in our communities,' the London mayor said on Wednesday, reported the Guardian. According to the Daily Mail, the commission, chaired by the former Labour cabinet minister Lord Charlie Falconer, revealed how the cannabis policy particularly targets certain ethnic communities, damaging relations between the police and those communities. Lord Falconer said that while "legalisation is not the answer," the criminal justice system should "focus only on the dealers and not the users," BBC reported. Falconer made the statement after his committee could not determine the long-term harms to public health, as the implications are 'not yet well understood.' The commission called for 'natural' cannabis to be moved from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act, which will effectively legalise possession of small amounts for personal use while continuing to prohibit importing, manufacturing or distributing the drug, including any amount of 'synthetic' cannabis. Under current laws, cannabis is classified as a Class B drug and those found in possession may face imprisonment, fines or both. Rejecting Khan's call for decriminalisation, a UK Home Office spokesperson said, 'The government has no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act,' Daily Mail reported. The spokesperson added that the government wants to keep focusing on cutting drug use by offering health support services and keeping the streets safe. Shadow Home Secretary of the UK, Chris Philp, also opposed the idea by mentioning that similar moves in parts of the US and Canada have led to higher crime and public health problems. 'Cannabis is illegal for a reason. Cannabis is associated with anti-social behaviour, and heavy use can lead to serious psychosis and severe mental health problems.' Sadiq Khan was born in London to Pakistani immigrant parents. He became a solicitor specialising in human rights and was a councillor in the London Borough of Wandsworth from 1994 to 2006. In 2016, the Pakistani-origin leader made history after becoming the first Mayor of London belonging from an ethnic minority. Last year, he received a knighthood, a title bestowed upon a man by the King for outstanding achievements or service to the country.
