Do Police Believe that Cannabis is Decriminalised?
Cannabis has been effectively decriminalised, in the eyes of police. A poll found that 66 per cent of officers consider the use of the class B drug as virtually acceptable on the streets of Britain as lawbreakers are regularly being let off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
It comes amid reports that the use of the Class B drug is “just not a priority” for the police with bigger constraints on their time and resources.
What Does The Report Say?
The survey of 250 officers conducted by Opinion for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank, has prompted a wider report about drug issues affecting the country. The report, entitled "Still Ambitious for Recovery", reported that drug poisonings hit a record high last year and are now the root of three times as many deaths in the UK as deadly car crashes.
It takes the view that cannabis legalisation would lead 24% of 18 to 34-year-olds to try cannabis for the first time. The report warns further that this would potentially more than double the number of addicts at an evaluated £1 billion cost to the taxpayer.
The report also proposed figures from the statistics watchdog revealing that over three million people had used drugs in the past year were “likely to be an underestimate” of the situation. Government funding for addiction services and rehabilitation is now 60% less than in 2012. A point that the report has called upon Sir Keir Starmer to address urgently.
The report also asks for and highlights the need for additional investment into drug recovery services here in the UK and is supported by CEO of Labour Together and former MP, Jonathan Ashworth. Whilst cannabis has been legalised in cities across North America, these cities have still witnessed more powerful unregulated products persist in thriving.
More From Soft Secrets?
Drug Policy Foundation Launch Campaign for UK Canna Reform
One in Five UK Police Think Medical Cannabis is Still Illegal
L
Liz Filmer
