Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jan 2005
Source: Herald, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.theherald.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/189
Author: Lucy Adams, Home Affairs Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

LEGAL CHANGE BLAMED FOR HIGHER CANNABIS USE

THE use and cultivation of cannabis in Scotland has exploded in the year 
since the drug's legal status was downgraded.

Police figures reveal that the number of marijuana plants and amount of 
resin seized have increased dramatically across the country, even though 
cannabis was reclassified to allow forces to concentrate on hard drugs such 
as heroin and cocaine.

In Strathclyde, seizures of home-grown plants have more than doubled in the 
last year and in Tayside there has been a sixfold increase.

Police warned that the cultivation of the drug had increased because of a 
misconception among members of the public that they would not be prosecuted.

On January 29, 2004, David Blunkett, the former home secretary, 
reclassified cannabis from a class B to a class C drug.

Academics, including Professor Neil McKeganey, of the Centre of Drug Misuse 
at Glasgow University, warned against the move because they believed it 
would lead to an increase in use.

Yesterday, officers said those fears had been realised with an increase in 
the cultivation and smoking of a drug which has been shown to trigger 
mental health problems. The price of cannabis resin has also fallen, 
another indication of its growing availability.

New figures obtained by The Herald show that between April 2003 to 2004 
there were 742 plants seized in Strathclyde, compared with 1715 between 
April 2004 and December 2004. There was also a 14% increase in the amount 
of cannabis resin and material seized by the force, despite the fact there 
are still three months left in the statistical year.

In Fife, the amount of cannabis resin seized rose in that period from 36kg 
to 329kg last year, while plant seizures rose from 280 to 362.

There was also a significant increase in plant seizures in Lothian and Borders.

A report commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Authority last year found 
that many people wrongly believed the drug had been legalised following its 
reclassification.

Detective Sergeant Kenny Simpson, the Strathclyde Police drugs 
co-ordinator, said: "The figures are significantly up and the issue seems 
to be that a lot more people are growing their own because of their 
perception that police activity has been relaxed. There is also concern 
that home-grown can-nabis, or skunk, can be three times as strong as resin. 
There are substantial health risks associated with this.

"Our message is that we will not ignore this. We will take action and will 
prosecute these people."

Detective Superintendent Jill Wood, national drugs co-ordinator for the 
Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency, said the national figures indicated that 
cannabis cultivation had increased. "The trends show that all the forces 
are seeing an increase in the number of cannabis plants being recovered.

"This would indicate that this is more than just an increase in police 
activity. For most forces cannabis would not form part of their main 
targets. However, we will continue to take action and devote resources to 
this. The reclassification has not changed our practice."

Alistair Ramsay, of Scotland Against Drugs, said the growing misconceptions 
about cannabis had to be corrected. "This is a very worrying development 
which will mean more cannabis is available in communities around the 
country. There is clearly a misunderstanding about its illegality."

The Scottish Executive said: "There is a perception that cannabis is safe 
and has been decriminalised for personal use. That perception is a myth. 
Cannabis is not safe, it brings risks to both physical and mental health.

"Recently there has been new research published which appears to reinforce 
the risks to mental health. Sustained use of cannabis can create dependence.

"Around 10% of people reporting to drug services say cannabis is their main 
problem drug. That is why it is important to reinforce the message that 
reclassification is not the same as decriminalisation or legalisation.

"Possession and supply of cannabis are criminal offences. They remain 
criminal offences. The maximum penalty for supplying has been increased to 
14 years' imprisonment."
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