3 December 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to initiate a test program whereas cannabis users may purchase upto 5grams in a "coffeeshop".
Details of Petition:
"to reduce the flow of funds to organised criminal gangs (terrorist groups, hells angels ETC), to more effectively monitor drug consuption and to ensure the safety and secruity as much as reasonably possible of drug users, we call on the government to test the possibility of cannabis users (both recreationally and medically) purchasing up to 5 grams of cannabis at a dutch-style "coffeeshop", free from fear of prosecution (unless other criminal activity is involved e.g. class A drugs). this will seperate the hard/soft drug market and give the authorities some "breathing space" in solving the UK’s drug problem, reduce under 18’s purchasing the drug by asking for government issued ID with an address (E.G. drivers licence) and also to hinder so-called "drug tourism".
Read the Government’s response
The Government’s message has always been that cannabis is a harmful and illegal drug that should not be taken. It has a number of acute and chronic health effects and prolonged use can induce dependence. Most cannabis is smoked and smoking, in any form, is dangerous. Even the occasional use of cannabis can pose significant dangers for people with mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, and particular efforts need to be made to encourage abstinence in such individuals.
There is therefore no prospect of the Government facilitating the supply of cannabis in a "coffeeshop".
Furthermore, anyone trying to establish a "coffeeshop", cannabis café or similar establishment risks imprisonment or a heavy fine (or both) under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Supply of cannabis is and will remain a criminal offence and those who sell it to others risk severe penalties. It is also an offence for managers of premises knowingly to allow the production, supply or smoking of cannabis on their premises. The classification of cannabis makes no difference to this position and the Government expects a swift and effective response from the police to any attempts to defy the law.
The Prime Minister announced on 18 July that, as part of the consultation to review its drug strategy, the Government will also consider whether it is now right that cannabis should be moved from Class C back to Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
There is real public concern about the potential mental health effects of cannabis use and, in particular, the use and availability of increased strengths of the drug, commonly known as skunk. In these circumstances, the Government is considering whether it is necessary to toughen the penalties relating to cannabis possession to complement its education and treatment programmes.
The Home Secretary has therefore asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises the Government on drug issues, to again assess the medical and social scientific basis of the classification of cannabis.
The Government will consider carefully the Advisory Council’s findings, expected next spring, before making a final decision that will be consistent with its aim of reducing the harm caused by drugs.
Whilst the Government has no intention of legalising the use of cannabis in its raw form for medicinal purposes, it would seek Parliament’s agreement to make any necessary changes to the law to enable the prescription of cannabis-based medicine, for the purposes of relieving pain, but not before the granting of product approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Unless and until a marketing authorisation is issued by the MHRA, GW Pharmaceuticals’ cannabis-based medicine, Sativex, is available in the UK as a non-licensed medicine. It can only be supplied under Home Office licence when prescribed to individual patients for therapeutic purposes under their doctors’ personal responsibility. In each case, the Home Office Drugs Branch Licensing Section asks for the doctor to supply patient details (name and address) and a brief indication of the clinical requirement for the drug.