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Police won't target pot smokers and small-scale growers, say commissioners Police won't target pot smokers and small-scale growers, say commissioners
(about 2 hours later)
Two police commissioners have said they no longer expect officers to chase people growing cannabis for personal use.Two police commissioners have said they no longer expect officers to chase people growing cannabis for personal use.
Alan Charles, the police and crime commissioner for Derbyshire, and Ron Hogg, his counterpart in Durham, have said their forces have more important priorities than investigating small-scale growers.Alan Charles, the police and crime commissioner for Derbyshire, and Ron Hogg, his counterpart in Durham, have said their forces have more important priorities than investigating small-scale growers.
A third commissioner, Martyn Underhill of Dorset, has expressed support for Hogg’s stance, which was widely reported. He said he was taking the issue of cannabis laws up with local MPs and police.A third commissioner, Martyn Underhill of Dorset, has expressed support for Hogg’s stance, which was widely reported. He said he was taking the issue of cannabis laws up with local MPs and police.
While cannabis campaigners have hailed the moves, drugs policy analysts say the remarks make explicit longstanding views within some police forces.While cannabis campaigners have hailed the moves, drugs policy analysts say the remarks make explicit longstanding views within some police forces.
But they come amid a government crackdown on drug use. A new bill was recently introduced that would ban all psychoactive drugs, except those specifically exempted.But they come amid a government crackdown on drug use. A new bill was recently introduced that would ban all psychoactive drugs, except those specifically exempted.
Charles told the Guardian on Wednesday that austerity cuts to police budgets had forced the Derbyshire force to reassess its priorities. “Our top priority must be those people at risk [of abuse or violence],” he said.Charles told the Guardian on Wednesday that austerity cuts to police budgets had forced the Derbyshire force to reassess its priorities. “Our top priority must be those people at risk [of abuse or violence],” he said.
“When we are moving resources into that it does mean that we can’t keep policing every single issue as we have done in the past. If people are using cannabis discreetly in their own homes, in private, I would not expect the chief to make that a priority.”“When we are moving resources into that it does mean that we can’t keep policing every single issue as we have done in the past. If people are using cannabis discreetly in their own homes, in private, I would not expect the chief to make that a priority.”
He said the force would always target organised criminals producing large quantities of drugs. But, he added: “If you are talking about people growing a couple of cannabis plants at home on the window sill, I would not expect Derbyshire police to prioritise that.”He said the force would always target organised criminals producing large quantities of drugs. But, he added: “If you are talking about people growing a couple of cannabis plants at home on the window sill, I would not expect Derbyshire police to prioritise that.”
Charles spoke after it emerged police in Durham were adopting a light-touch approach to people caught growing cannabis for personal use. Hogg said the move was an effort to cut costs while focusing resources on organised crime. But he also said that another reason for it was to keep users out of the criminal justice system.Charles spoke after it emerged police in Durham were adopting a light-touch approach to people caught growing cannabis for personal use. Hogg said the move was an effort to cut costs while focusing resources on organised crime. But he also said that another reason for it was to keep users out of the criminal justice system.
“The focus of what we are trying to do is target those who produce drugs on a larger scale,” he said. “Our communities want us to focus on drug dealers in the streets. They don’t want dealers in the streets at the same time as their children are playing.“The focus of what we are trying to do is target those who produce drugs on a larger scale,” he said. “Our communities want us to focus on drug dealers in the streets. They don’t want dealers in the streets at the same time as their children are playing.
“It’s illegal to grow and use cannabis and we will still enforce the law. However, what we will try and do is engage with users and help them if that’s what they want.”“It’s illegal to grow and use cannabis and we will still enforce the law. However, what we will try and do is engage with users and help them if that’s what they want.”
The policy was first revealed in a meeting two weeks ago between Hogg and activists from local chapters of the UK Cannabis Social Clubs. There Hogg confirmed rumours that Durham police were no longer actively working to detect small-scale cannabis growers and users, according to John Holiday, a local activist.The policy was first revealed in a meeting two weeks ago between Hogg and activists from local chapters of the UK Cannabis Social Clubs. There Hogg confirmed rumours that Durham police were no longer actively working to detect small-scale cannabis growers and users, according to John Holiday, a local activist.
Holiday – not his real name – said Hogg was clear that the policy was not intended as a free-for-all. He said: “It’s still illegal. If you were to light up in front of a policeman or go into a police station and tell them you’ve got a ten-bag you would still be arrested. Holiday – not his real name – said Hogg was clear that the policy was not intended as a free-for-all. He said: “It’s still illegal. If you were to light up in front of a policeman or go into a police station and tell them you’ve got a 10-bag you would still be arrested.
“The idea is discretion: don’t piss off your neighbours.” “The idea is discretion: don’t piss off your neighbours.
The move followed a drug policy conference hosted by Hogg last November. Following the summit, Hogg wrote a letter to the prime minister with a warning that current drug laws were failing. “Policy on drug addiction should be moved to the Department of Health, in order for the focus to be on treating rather than punishing,” Hogg’s letter said.The move followed a drug policy conference hosted by Hogg last November. Following the summit, Hogg wrote a letter to the prime minister with a warning that current drug laws were failing. “Policy on drug addiction should be moved to the Department of Health, in order for the focus to be on treating rather than punishing,” Hogg’s letter said.
Charles held a similar event in Derbyshire last month, with Hogg as a speaker. Days after, he wrote to Theresa May, the home secretary, to call for a comprehensive review of drug laws.Charles held a similar event in Derbyshire last month, with Hogg as a speaker. Days after, he wrote to Theresa May, the home secretary, to call for a comprehensive review of drug laws.
“I’ve not had a response to my letter, it’s been a month now,” Charles said. “That doesn’t surprise me because it would be a difficult nettle for her to grasp. But someone has to.”“I’ve not had a response to my letter, it’s been a month now,” Charles said. “That doesn’t surprise me because it would be a difficult nettle for her to grasp. But someone has to.”
In January, Underhill will become the third commissioner to hold a similar event. He would not comment on Dorset police’s strategy without speaking first to the chief, who was away on holiday. But he issued a written statement backing Hogg.In January, Underhill will become the third commissioner to hold a similar event. He would not comment on Dorset police’s strategy without speaking first to the chief, who was away on holiday. But he issued a written statement backing Hogg.
“I really admire the work that Durham PCC Ron Hogg is doing in raising this debate about the decriminalisation of cannabis in various forms, such as personal or medicinal use,” Underhill said. “I am discussing both issues currently with local MPs and Dorset police. It is for this reason that I am holding a drugs conference in January 2016.” “I really admire the work that [Hogg] is doing in raising this debate about the decriminalisation of cannabis in various forms, such as personal or medicinal use,” Underhill said. “I am discussing both issues currently with local MPs and Dorset police. It is for this reason that I am holding a drugs conference in January 2016.”
Steve Rolles, senior policy analyst at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, said the commissioners’ comments had brought into the open views that have long been privately held by some officers. But he warned that cannabis users could now face a postcode lottery when it came to enforcement.Steve Rolles, senior policy analyst at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, said the commissioners’ comments had brought into the open views that have long been privately held by some officers. But he warned that cannabis users could now face a postcode lottery when it came to enforcement.
“Some commissioners and chief constables have a different view, which puts the interesting and unsustainable position that depending on where you live in the UK you may get a prosecution or you may get a slap on the wrist,” he said.“Some commissioners and chief constables have a different view, which puts the interesting and unsustainable position that depending on where you live in the UK you may get a prosecution or you may get a slap on the wrist,” he said.
Neil Woods, vice-chair of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (Leap) UK, welcomed the moves. He said that although police officials prioritised their officers’ work all the time, Hogg was “quite bold to word it in the way that he is doing”.Neil Woods, vice-chair of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (Leap) UK, welcomed the moves. He said that although police officials prioritised their officers’ work all the time, Hogg was “quite bold to word it in the way that he is doing”.
Woods, a former undercover drugs detective, said it was likely drug crime could get less attention from police forced to reassess priorities as budgets were pared back in the name of austerity. The last government slashed the police budget by around 26% in five years, at a cost of 35,000 officers. More cuts are expected under the new government.Woods, a former undercover drugs detective, said it was likely drug crime could get less attention from police forced to reassess priorities as budgets were pared back in the name of austerity. The last government slashed the police budget by around 26% in five years, at a cost of 35,000 officers. More cuts are expected under the new government.
Woods said: “If you consider that a taxpayer pays £400 towards fighting the war on drugs in this country, the financial pressures are going to take us there.Woods said: “If you consider that a taxpayer pays £400 towards fighting the war on drugs in this country, the financial pressures are going to take us there.
“It’s an important, small, incremental step in the right direction. I think it’s necessary and I’m pleased that they are brave enough to very publicly make this step.“It’s an important, small, incremental step in the right direction. I think it’s necessary and I’m pleased that they are brave enough to very publicly make this step.
“I applaud their move. No one should ever be criminalised for drug possession.”“I applaud their move. No one should ever be criminalised for drug possession.”
Lady Meacher, chairwoman of the all-parliamentary group on drug policy reform, said: “It must be hoped that other police commissioners will follow this important lead. Young people will be safer if they can avoid the drug dealers, and sick people needing cannabis to relieve their symptoms will be able to grow it. Better still if cannabis on prescription were to be legalised.”Lady Meacher, chairwoman of the all-parliamentary group on drug policy reform, said: “It must be hoped that other police commissioners will follow this important lead. Young people will be safer if they can avoid the drug dealers, and sick people needing cannabis to relieve their symptoms will be able to grow it. Better still if cannabis on prescription were to be legalised.”