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UK Police: We Will No Longer Bust Small-Time Marijuana Growers

Posted by 3Tat on July 26, 2015 at 11:05 AM

While cops in the United States persist in their prohibitionary efforts�??sometimes paralyzing and brutally murdering the average citizen over marijuana�??police forces throughout northeast England have pulled out of the war on weed, at least for the most part. According to reports, cops are now only busting street hooligans engaged in large-scale black market operations�??small timers are free to grow. In a move that some government officials consider insubordinate decriminalization, County Durham crime commissioner Ron Hogg recently approved a series of guidelines dictating that police resources no longer be used to crack down on low-level home pot cultivators. Instead, their authority will be used solely as a weapon to fight against the scourge of organized crime, dope dealers and street gangs. "We are not prioritizing people who have a small number of cannabis plants for their own use�?? Hogg told the Telegraph. �??In low-level cases we say it is better to work with them and put them in a position where they can recover. "In these cases,�?? he continued, �??the most likely way of dealing with them would be with a caution and by taking the plants away and disposing of them. It is unlikely that a case like that would be brought before a court.�?? This rubber-fisted approach to dealing with petty pot crimes, according to Hogg, will not only save police time and money but, perhaps, even inspire a much needed debate over how the entire nation handles drug offenders. Although marijuana cultivation is still considered a serious offense in the eyes of Crown Prosecution Services�??an offense with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison�??Hogg said his troops are no longer going after �??users and small-time growers�?? unless there is a complaint or a �??blatant�?? disregard for the law. Therefore, as long as cannabis connoisseurs maintain grows of a reasonable size, there should never be any reason for a vicious shakedown. The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates that Hogg�??s blind-eye approach to personal pot plants could remove a significant amount of heat off British cannabis culture. Statistics show that between 2012 and 2014, pot seizures increased by 45 percent. Interestingly, in around 90 percent of those cases, less than 50 plants were confiscated�??evidence that the majority of these arrests have been for the average user, not large black market operations. Yet, officials with the National Drug Prevention Alliance argue that the Durham Constabulary has gone rogue, suggesting that the publicity surrounding his newfound policy will encourage more people to grow weed. However, Hogg contends that his position is simply about �??keeping people out of the criminal justice system and reducing costs.�?? "Cannabis use is still illegal and smoking it is still a crime, but if you are caught, you will get this opportunity to stop re-offending,�?? Hogg told the Northern Echo. Commissioner Hogg explained that although he supports decriminalization and the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, he remains concerned about the mental health implications associated with the herb. �??Legal or illegal makes no difference�??it can be detrimental to health just like alcohol,�?? he said. For now, resident stoners will have to settle for this concept of quasi-decriminalization because the U.K. government has no plans to legalize the leaf anytime in the near future. Commissioner Hogg said that as long as there is evidence that weed is damaging to the mental and physical condition, parliament will not tender its support. Source: http://hightimes.com/read/uk-police-we-will-no-longer-bust-small-time-marijuana-growers

Cannabis Prohibition Has Gone To Pot: Users Of Plant Given Green Light

Posted by 3Tat on July 26, 2015 at 11:00 AM

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In a shock move that many have described as cannabis pseudo-decriminalisation, Durham Police have announced that they will only prosecute individuals possessing or growing the class-B drug if they are �??blatant�??. The policy has come soon after comments by the force�??s Chief Constable, Mike Barton, who argued that investigating drug users is a �??waste of police time�??. He believes that hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine should be decriminalised. His reasoning being that if the trade was regulated the users could get their supply through the NHS thus eliminating the need for them to get involved in criminalityDespite the new relaxed approach towards stoners, the force has stated that they will still proactively prosecute large-scale grows along with other criminal acts that surround the illicit trade. The plan was hashed out (sorry) by Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Hogg, who said that anyone caught growing or possessing a small stash of weed will be given the opportunity to sign a crime reduction initiative rather than face prosecution. Smokers who have been caught committing less than three crimes would be eligible for the programme, they would then only be taken to court if they fail to comply. Many cannabis activists have branded the move as a step in the right direction but argue that it is still unacceptable for users to be discriminated against, socially marginalised and made to comply with a government programme for what they describe as a victimless crimeHogg, told the Northern Echo: �??Cannabis use is still illegal and smoking it is still a crime, but if you are caught, you will get this opportunity to stop reoffending. �??By and large we are saying it is not the top of our list to go out and try to pick up people smoking joints on street corners but if it�??s blatant or we get complaints, officers will act.�?? �??My position is clear �?? I support decriminalisation of users and support debate around the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes�?? he added. Source: http://www.unilad.co.uk/articles/cannabis-prohibition-has-gone-to-pot-users-of-plant-given-green-light/

Petition Make the production, sale and use of cannabis legal.

Posted by 3Tat on July 26, 2015 at 10:55 AM

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Legalising cannabis could bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs. A substance that is safer than alcohol, and has many uses. It is believed to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, being made illegal in the UK in 1925 SIGN THE PETITION . https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104349

Chile takes step toward cannabis decriminalisation

Posted by 3Tat on July 26, 2015 at 10:50 AM

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Chile has taken a step forward in decriminalising the use of cannabis after the lower house of congress approved by a wide margin a bill that seeks to change the law in the South American country. Although socially conservative Chile is not following Uruguay�??s lead on full legalisation, it is considering decriminalising it for personal use and cultivation. To loud cheers from the public gallery, the lower house voted on Tuesday to push forward with the reform in general terms. As it stands, the bill would allow the possession of up to 10 grammes (0.35 ounce) of cannabis and the growing of up to six plants. But it still has some way to go to become law. A health committee will study the bill before the lower house votes again on each of the specific elements. It then passes to the senate. Nonetheless, the vote was important, communist lawmaker Karol Cariola, who is part of President Michelle Bachelet�??s leftist coalition, told reporters. �??It is a historic day for medicinal users who wish to stop being persecuted and be able to access a medicine that they can grow in their gardens,�?? she said. Santiago, Chile�??s capital, was the site of Latin America�??s first medical marijuana farm earlier this year. The country watched the experimental project with interest. Surveys indicate that cannabis consumption is higher in Chile than in the rest of the region, while support among Chileans for drug legalisation is increasing. Since the repressive 1973-1990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, Chile has been considered one of Latin America�??s most conservative countries. With social attitudes changing, however, leftwing governments have taken baby steps in recent years towards a more liberal path, recently legalising gay and lesbian civil unions, for instance. The changes have not been without controversy. A current bill aimed at reforming Chile�??s abortion law, one of the strictest in the world, has faced fierce opposition from both the Catholic Church and politicians, including from within Bachelet�??s own coalition. Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/chile-step-toward-cannabis-decriminalisation-marijuana