The year of 2002 saw a recent movement by the British Home Office to reclassify cannabis use. At present, no one is certain what the actual laws will be but here's as much as we learned: In July 2002 the British Home Secretary, David Blunket, announced the forthcoming declassification of marijuana & cannabis; from a class B to a class C drug.

In reality this did little more than lead the Police, HM Government and of course, the rest of us into a land of uncertainty. It's really a "smoke in the dark" until the change in law (hopefully) in July 2003. While several coffeeshops (marijuana / cannabis cafes) have tried to open, they have constantly faced problems and closures. Just what exactly is going on? No one knows. (*see below for more details from CCNEWZ)

* The Home Office spokesperson says "It's illegal with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years."

* The Police drug squads say "we are targeting hard drug users."

* The People say "we're buying soft drugs here & now. Why not tax us as per alcohol & tobacco?"

Considering the constantly evolving developments, all of this very well could change at any time !!!

The present situation regarding Marijuana in Great Britain is a shambles. Cafe's spring up, and no one knows exactly what the deal is. Hopefully this will change in July 2003 when the House of Commons and the House of Lords will debate the proposed changes in marijuana laws, from a class B to a class C drug. Until the members of both houses have agreed on the new law to place in the statute books, nothing officially has changed.

Here are the official laws at present:

Cannabis is a Class B drug.

Possession: Max 5 year &/or fine.

Possession / Intent to supply: Max 14 years &/or fine.

Cultivation: Max 14 years.

Here’s the proposed new legislation that is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons in July 2003:

Cannabis would be "downgraded" to a Class C drug.

Possession: Max 2 years &/or fine.

Possession / Intent to supply: Max 14 years &/or fine.

Cultivation: Max 14 years. In reality this is NOT what the police are doing on the streets. Individual police officers have the discretion to give verbal warnings. This is normally given in most cases for small quantities of marijuana and small scale cultivation.

We'll be able to give a you a clearer picture of what is happening in the UK regarding soft drugs following the new legislation towards the end of 2003.

An excerpt from The Smokers Guide To Amsterdam Book. Buy it here!

 

To launch our UK section, we introduce the latest addition to the Smokers Guide:

 

Cannabis Consumer Newz is a great resource for the latest in UK cannabis news. Filled with all kinds of pertinent and timely info, we have a feeling this site is gonna grow! It can't hurt that they are always offering free giveaways and gifts for their subscribers! Check ém out...

Here's more info on the UK scene direct from CCNEWZ:

*There was a whole lotta huffing, puffing and "I'm gonna open a coffeeshop" talk in the early part of the year - which turned out to be so much hot air.

Except for one man, Chris Baldwin who incredibly had two full-blown Dutch style coffeeshops running for a few months at the same time, in Worthing, West Sussex. One of the shops closed - the Quantum Leaf - around the New Year, evicted by the landlord after pressure from the police, and Chris now faces charges arising from a raid on the premises. While Chris' court dates continue to be postponed, is second shop is still open and functioning as intended. It's called Buddies' and it's in Brougham Road, East Worthing. Dealers booth, menu board, bong service, the lot.

€€ Upcoming mega-canna-event in London: the annual march through Brixton High Street to the free festival in Brockwell Park, May 3, meet at noon outside the Oval tube station. All over the UK, the mood is optimistic. The uncertainty may be bothering some, but it's delighting others! CCNEWZ