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See other news storiesTougher action on cannabis
15 October 2008
When cannabis is reclassified as a Class B drug in 2009, those who continually break the law will face tougher penalties.
The Home Secretary this week submitted a parliamentary order to reclassify the drug to Class B. The classification change should come into force on 26 January 2009.
Once that change takes effect, anyone caught in possession of cannabis will receive a penalty notice. If they're caught in possession on more than one occasion they could face an on-the-spot fine of £80.
Those who are caught a third time, could go to jail.
Tightening the rules
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the changes to penalties for cannabis possession were suggested by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The Ministry of Justice will shortly run a consultation on the proposed changes.
The Home Secretary said, 'This is the next step towards toughening up our enforcement response - to ensure that repeat offenders know that we are serious about tackling the danger that the drug poses to individuals, and in turn communities.
'We need to act now to protect future generations'
Government response to recommendations
The government has issued its response (new window) to the recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) several months ago.
The government accepts 20 of the 21 recommendations in the ACMD report Cannabis: Classification and Public Health (new window).
