News & events
See other news storiesTougher action on cannabis
13 October 2008
The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has confirmed that repeat cannabis offenders will face tougher penalties.
People caught carrying cannabis for a second time could now face an on-the-spot fine of £80 instead of a warning. This was announced alongside a Parliamentary Order to reclassify the drug to Class B from 26 January 2009.
Cannabis is harmful
She said, 'While cannabis has always been illegal, reclassifying it to a Class B drug reinforces our message to everyone that it is harmful and should not be taken.
'The government accepted the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal for a strengthened and escalating enforcement approach for possession in England and Wales. Under Penalty Notice for Disorder proposals, which the Ministry of Justice will shortly consult on, those caught with cannabis on a first occasion could still get a cannabis warning, but on a second occasion are likely face a fine of £80 and arrest if caught for a third time.
'This is the next step towards toughening up our enforcement response - to ensure that repeat offenders know that we are serious about tackling the danger that the drug poses to individuals, and in turn communities. We need to act now to protect future generations' the Home Secretary said.
Government response to recommendations
The government's response to 21 recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has been published. The response accepts 20 of the 21 recommendations the ACMD made in its report Cannabis: Classification and Public Health and the government has committed to taking forward work across a range of departments.
Children and Families Minister Delyth Morgan said 'The reclassification helps us get our message across that cannabis is not a harmless drug and that there are real concerns about how this will impact on the future of young people who use it. The FRANK campaign and our review of drug education will ensure that the potential harms are better understood by young people and their parents.'
