How does the UK law view cannabis?

                                                                                         

The manner in which the UK’s legal system views cannabis has been the subject of much discussion of the past few years. This article will look at the UK laws view on cannabis and detail its reclassification.

Media attention has been frenetic, the attention has been drawn due to the classification and recent reclassification of cannabis. This oscillation between classification levels C and B, along with possible new enforcement guidelines has - in some people’s opinion - created a situation where some are now unsure how the law views cannabis possession and use.

In January of this year the government reclassified cannabis from Class C to Class B. This change has met with complaints from some groups, they say the government has gone against their advisors suggestions. The government however said that they reclassified cannabis due to concerns about its effect on mental health – the ‘skunk’ widely available sale today is much stronger than less potent forms of the drug that were more common in the past.

The government also plans to implement a new ‘3 strikes’ system. This system would serve to guide the arresting officers as to the punishment applicable on encountering a person possessing cannabis. This is also left to the discretion of the officer involved as they will be able to asses other factors such as the amount of cannabis found.

The first stage of the 3 strikes system is for people committing a first offence, they will be issued with a warning and have the cannabis confiscated.

The second stage is for an immediate ‘on the spot’ of £80.

The third stage is applied on the third offence, individuals are liable to find themselves arrested and face prosecution.

Since reclassification the current maximum penalty for possession is 5 years in prison. While the maximum penalty for manufacture and dealing of cannabis is 14 years in prison.

Some commentators have voiced the opinion that the new guidelines would mean that there was effectively a special case for cannabis in relation to other class B rated drugs. This is because the discretionary guidelines that would apply to cannabis would not apply to other class B drugs.

This article is opinion and does not represent legal advice.

About the author:
Cannabis Seeds such as Weed Seeds are legal in the UK, while the cultivation of them into plants is not.

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