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misconceptionsDue
to the somewhat ambiguous and confusing language used by the Government to define
reclassification, and the sometimes downright wrong way that some of the mass
media has reported it, there are several common misconceptions that people hold
about what reclassification means for them. Some of these are that:
| Cannabis
is legal to use | Wrong
- cannabis use is still 100% illegal. It will still be a criminal offence to possess
cannabis, with a punishment of possible jail term. However if caught with a small
amount of cannabis the police are expected to not "fully" arrest you
unless there are "aggravated" circumstances in their opinion, but they
will confiscate it and take your details. | | Cannabis
has been decriminalised | Wrong
- it is still a criminal offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and even simple
possession carries a risk of gaining a criminal record. |
| You
are allowed to use cannabis in your own home. | Wrong
- whilst the police are unlikely to specifically pursue you for such behaviour
alone, if they catch you they will still confiscate it and take your details.
They can still fully arrest you if they so wish, particularly if there are aggravating
circumstances. Nothing has changed in the supply laws, so technically passing
a spliff or bong to your friends is still a supply offence, punishable by anything
up to 14 years. However this level of punishment is highly unlikely, just as it
was before. | | This
is the first step on the road to legalisation. | The
Government have made it clear that they have no intentions to legalise or decriminalise
cannabis. There are no plans to further change the status of cannabis after its
reclassification. | Back
to the UKCIA guide to the reclassification of cannabis. |
