EDITION:

Search
Search
Close this search box.

UK white paper suggests de facto cannabis decriminalisation

Home » UK white paper suggests de facto cannabis decriminalisation

The UK Government has released a new white paper that is aiming to create tough sanctions for drug possession. However, the proposals could be a step in the direction of reform for drug policy.

The white paper, entitled Swift, Certain, Tough: New Consequences for Drug Possession, has put forward a new approach to dealing with drug possession offences. 

It suggests that instead of criminalisation, those involved in a drug possession offence will be diverted to education courses. Additionally, repeat offenders will have passports and driving licenses confiscated.

Publication of the paper follows the announcement of the Government’s new 10 year drug strategy in December 2021, that will see the government approach drug use with an increased focus on rehabilitation instead of criminalisation. The strategy is designed to cut crime and reduce both the supply and demand for drugs by getting more people into treatment.

Read more: Report calls for UK Government to turbocharge cannabinoid innovation

The ten year “crackdown” will see the government invest £15m over three years for drug testing on arrest, £5m toward an innovation fund and £9m towards the new “Tough Consequences” out of court disposals scheme. The scheme will see civil penalties imposed such as fines and curfews.

The new white paper is currently out for consultation, and results from the feedback will inform approaches to reforming the way the criminal justice system deals with adult drug possession offences and to changing drug testing on arrest powers.

Home Secretary Priti Patel states in the paper that the strategy “commits to delivering a generational shift in demand”, aiming to reduce overall drug use towards a historic 30-year low within the life cycle of the government’s new strategy. 

Drug reform organisation, Volteface, has highlighted that although the paper aims to create a “tough but smart” policy, the recommendations included essentially amount in part to the decriminalisation of cannabis possession.

Punishment reforms

The white paper proposes to increase the number offences that warrant drug testing on arrest, and also proposes the creation of a new three-tier framework for low-level drug possession offences.

Tier 1 would see offenders attend a drug awareness course, which they would have to pay for, and failure to attend the course would result in a fine higher than the cost of the course.

Tire 2 would see individuals offered a caution, having to undertake a period of mandatory drug testing and having to attend a more intensive drug awareness course. Failure to do so would result in a prosecution for the first offence.

Tier 3 would see an individual charged for their offence and receive a Drug Reduction Order, which will consist of an exclusion order, drug tagging, passport confiscation or driving licence disqualification, both for a set period. Offenders would also have to attend another drug awareness course.

An exclusion order could see individuals prohibited from attending a defined area for a set period, such as nightclubs or geographical areas.

Speaking to Cannabis Wealth, Head of operations at Volteface, Katya Kowalski, highlighted that the first two tiers of the paper’s reform recommendations demonstrate that the UK Government is beginning to take a health-based approach to drug use rather than a criminal approach.

“When you look at this three-tiered system, the first two tiers are essentially diversion and decriminalisation by letting people off on an easier consequence rather than being criminalised,” said Kowalski.

“The third tier – with passports and driver’s licenses being taken away – I don’t think that’s a good approach. I don’t think there’s any evidence to really back up that something like that would work. I’d be interested to see how they plan to roll that out practically, but, in terms of the first two tears, I think that’s a welcome approach. 

“It’s clear that the UK Government is interested in moving towards more of a health-based approach rather than criminalising people, because when you look at schemes like in Portugal which has decriminalised all drugs – a drug awareness course, or some kind of educational intervention is mandatory.

“If people kind of failed to show up for that they do still risk being criminalised.”

Tiered punishments

A report published in January 2022 by drug reform organisation Release UK highlights that in the UK, over half a million people are subject to police stop and search every year in England and Wales, with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups being more than 4.1 times more likely to be searched than White people.

“I am cautiously optimistic,” said Kowalski. “I’d like to see what this actually looks like in practice. I think there are considerations around who this kind of scheme will benefit most.

“There’s a disproportionate representation of BAME communities in the criminal justice system, mostly involving nonviolent drug offences.”

With proposals to step up testing on arrest, which will see every police force given at least £50,000 to boost its drug testing programmes, and with the tiered system requiring payment for education courses, there could be a danger of creating a tiered system whereby some can afford to commit an offence and those who cannot. 

Kowalski added: “There’s a consideration around whether this will just benefit the middle class that can afford to pay for the drug awareness course, but I do think it’s a step in the right direction. 

“I think the UK Government is leaning towards the fact that our current approach isn’t working.”

[activecampaign form=31]

Related Posts

Related Posts

CONNECT

Related Posts

Related Posts

Recent Posts

Related Posts

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates!

We won’t spam you

Categories

Browse by Tags

CATEGORIES

EDITION

BUSINESS OF CANNABIS

© 2023 Prohibition Holdings Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

EDITION

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?