Submitted by Johnny on
Our Guide to Cannabis Law Reform | Cannabis Seeds Store.
Cannabis Seeds Store does not encourage breaking the law. This guide is produced to promote a change in the law by legitimate means.
This guide explains the law relating to cannabis, the growing and possession of cannabis and provides a brief summary and links to the groups who are actively seeking a change in the law.
Cannabis - The Law
The Government insist that they have no intention of changing the laws surrounding activities relating to cannabis and continue to reinforce their non-scientific, non-evidence based policy. Their official line is “cannabis is a very harmful, very dangerous drug that can cause huge mental health problems and addiction” along with “cannabis has no medicinal benefits in herbal form”. Their reason for classifying cannabis as a “controlled” substance they say, is to protect people from themselves.
Cannabis is a Class B Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Although it is given the title of a “controlled drug” there is actually very little control that anyone has over it as the commercial market is predominantly run by organised crime and completely unregulated. There is no control over who produces it, who sells it, who it is sold to, or even that the quality of the product is safe to consume.
Cannabis Seeds
In the UK, it is actually legal to own cannabis seeds, such as the ones available on this website, but it is illegal to grow or attempt to grow the cannabis plant from these seeds unless you have a licence from the Home Office.
Cultivation of Cannabis
Cultivation is the tending of plants, i.e. watering, feeding, nurturing etc.
It is unlawful to cultivate any part of a cannabis plant. It is not an offence to supply or possess cannabis seeds, but any action which germinates or cultivates them is an offence.
A person can only be charged with cultivation or production, rather than both offences together.
The reason that an individual would be charged with production instead of cultivation is because production is classed as a 'trafficking' offence; which allows the authorities to order a POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) hearing.
POCA provides the courts with scope to confiscate the proceeds of a crime where a defendant is shown to have benefited from their criminal conduct.
Possession of cannabis
If caught in possession of cannabis, as well as considering arrest and confiscating the drug, police are likely to:
Give a cannabis warning for a first offence of possession – this is a written warning that does not show up on the PCN and should not show on CRB checks often carried out by employers.
Give a Penalty Notice for Disorder – this is an on-the-spot fine of £80 for a second offence. You must pay this within 14 days or face going to court.
Make an arrest if it is the third offence of having been caught with cannabis – this could lead to conviction in court and a criminal record.
Penalties for Drug Possession and Dealing
The penalties depend on which drug and the amount you have, and whether you are also dealing or producing the drug. The most severe penalty can be an unlimited fine and life in prison.
https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
Active groups seeking a change in the drugs law or providing help to people affected by drugs
CLEAR Cannabis Law Reform
CLEAR is the UK's largest membership based cannabis policy group. They campaign for medicinal cannabis on prescription and regulated access for adults.
http://clear-uk.org/
UKCIA
UKCIA is one of the oldest cannabis law reform websites in the UK. It was set up in 1995 right at the dawn of the internet by the remaining members of the original LCC, the old “Legalise Cannabis Campaign”. The idea was to put the knowledge and experience gained in running the LCC online for people to use.
http://www.ukcia.org/
Transform
Transform is a charitable think tank that campaigns for the legal regulation of drugs both in the UK and internationally. Prohibition cannot be judged a success on any front. Handing control of the drug trade to organised criminals has had disastrous consequences across the globe. Transform works to get drugs under control by advocating for strict regulation of all aspects of the trade.
http://www.tdpf.org.uk/
Rehab 4 Addiction
Offers a free helpline and intervention service for people suffering from drug addiction, alcohol addiction and mental health problems.
Website: http://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/
The Beckley Foundation
The Beckley Foundation is a charitable trust that promotes health-oriented, cost-effective, harm-reductive drug policy reform. It is dedicated to improving national and global drug policies through research.
http://www.beckleyfoundation.org/
Drugwise
Drugwise is an online drug information service aiming to provide evidence-based drug information, policy and reports. There are many robust international and internationally-relevant national reports and reviews in all these areas. The problem is that they are not all in one place.
This is why Drugwise have created I-Know, the international knowledge hub which over time will build up a library of information, policy and practice material.
Release
Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. The organisation, founded in 1967, is an independent and registered charity. They provide free non-judgmental, specialist advice and information to the public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug laws.
Release has an excellent section on Drugs and the Law
http://www.release.org.uk/drugs-legal-advice
Drug Policy Reform
The Drug Policy Reform is an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the UK parliament that is composed of politicians from all political parties.
The APPG for Drug Policy Reform began in January 2011 with the position of the Group being:-
That the global war on drugs has failed
That we will work for drug policy reform
That the Group will draw upon available evidence and experience in order to inform our recommendations
http://www.drugpolicyreform.net/
UKCSC
The UKCSC is an NGO platform founded in 2011 by citizens throughout the United Kingdom affected by and/or concerned by the current national and international war on people who use certain drugs, particularly cannabis. UKCSC unites the representatives of individual CSC’s in the UK, health workers, industry professionals, experts, entrepreneurs and activists from across not only the UK but Europe and the rest of the world.
http://ukcsc.co.uk/
FRANK
FRANK is a UK government information website which helps you find out everything you might want to know about drugs.
http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/cannabis
Ocean Recovery
Ocean Recovery provides a support group network for people suffering with addiction to drugs and alcohol in the North West of England. Ocean Recovery offers free and confidential services over the phone. The website also contains free guides and resources for people suffering from addiction and for their families and carers.
Helpline: 0125 353 0553, every day, 24 hours a day
Website: http://www.oceanrecoverycentre.com
Mr Richard Branson
British entrepreneur Richard Branson has released what he says is an embargoed report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime that will “call on governments around the world to decriminalize drug use and possession for personal consumption for all drugs,” Branson wrote on his virgin.com blog.
https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/finally-a-change-in-course-on-dru...
Medical Cannabis Law Reform
Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana is the UK’s most comprehensive online source for news, information, research, personal testaments and discussion on the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and cannabis extracts.
http://www.medicalmarijuana.co.uk/
Cannabis is not recognised as having any therapeutic value under the law in England and Wales, and a person can commit any range of offences including possession and supply.
http://www.medicalmarijuana.co.uk/legal/uk-medical-cannabis-guidelines/
International Cannabis Law Reform
The Drug Policy Alliance
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the USA's leading organization promoting drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. They advance policies that reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and seek solutions that promote safety while upholding the sovereignty of individuals over their own minds and bodies.
They work to ensure that the USA’s drug policies no longer arrest, incarcerate, disenfranchise and otherwise harm millions – particularly young people and people of colour who are disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.
NORML
NORML's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.
NORML supports the adoption of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers can buy marijuana for personal use from a safe legal source.
Cannalaw Group
The Canna Law Group is a team of USA business attorneys focusing on the corporate, compliance, intellectual property, and consumer product issues impacting the cannabis industry.
